All the money support pensioners can get this year including Winter Fuel Allowance and Pension Credit
PENSIONERS living in the UK are entitled to certain benefits to help with everyday, essential living costs once they have retired.
And as inflation, energy and food prices all continue to rise, it's important to make sure you're not missing out on any help available.
Here's all the help pensioners can get this year.
Pension Credit - All year round
Pension Credit is extra money to help with daily living costs for anyone who’s reached state pension age and is on a low income.
You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.
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The payment tops up weekly income to a minimum level of £182.60 a week for single pensioners or £278.70 for couples.
You have to make a claim for Pension Credit benefit, and you can do so up to four months before you turn state pension age.
Send you applications to:
If you've accrued NICs under both the old and new rules, you'll receive a state pension based on a mixture of both schemes.
Payments aren't made automatically, so you'll need to make a claim for the cash.
Around two months before you turn state pension age, you should receive a letter with instructions on it telling you what to do.
Cold weather payment - November
When temperatures drop, bills can rise.
This is because more energy is require to warm homes, among other things.
But if temperatures hit zero degrees Celsius or below for at least seven days, some households are eligible for a £25 payment to help with essential costs.
The cold weather payment scheme is only open between November 1 and March 31 each year to cover the winter months.
You can get the cash more than once, too.
For every seven day period that temperatures are zero degrees or below, eligible households will automatically be granted £25.
You have to meet some requirements to get this support, such as being in receipt of:
- Pension credit
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for mortgage interest
You will be able to check whether your area is due a payment by using the government's .
Winter Fuel Allowance - November
The Winter Fuel Allowance is an annual tax-free payment made automatically to eligible UK residents who are of a certain age.
It aims to help cover heating costs throughout the winter months.
Anyone born on or before September 25, 1956, making them at least 65 years old, and who also has a limited income may be eligible for the payment.
Other eligibility requirements include:
- Being in receipt of the State Pension
- Being in receipt of another social security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit)
- Live in the UK for at least one day during the "qualifying week", which is the week starting from Monday 19 September, 2022
If you have not lived in the UK during the qualifying period, you will not be eligible for the payment automatically.
How much you get depends on your exact age and your household circumstances, though it has always been between £100 and £300 previously.
But this year, many people will receive up to a whopping £600 thanks to the £300 of extra help being dished out by the government.
We have a helpful breakdown of the amount you could receive here.
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Meanwhile, anyone over 50 can grab free pension advice – find out if you are eligible.
Plus, a pensions expert explains why millions may have £13,000 sitting in a lost retirement cash pot.
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