HELPING HAND
Little-known loophole means thousands will qualify for £300 winter fuel payment without having to claim pension credit
Plus, we've explained why 800,000 need to act now or risk missing out
THOUSANDS of households not claiming pension credit will still get a winter fuel payment due to a little-known loophole.
The winter benefit, previously available to everyone aged 66 and above, helped with high energy costs.
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However, cuts made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean that 10million pensioners will no longer get the benefit, worth up to £300, this winter.
The cash will now only go to retirees on pension credit, or those getting a handful of other means-tested benefits.
For example, state pensioners claiming income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment support allowance or Universal Credit can still claim.
But, The Sun can now reveal that some state pensioners who claim tax credits and not pension credit could still get cash support this winter.
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To qualify, these households must receive an annual tax credit payment of at least £26 covering at least one day in the week of September 16 to 22, 2024.
Tax credits are being replaced by Universal Credit or pension credit for those over the state pension age under a process called managed migration.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is sending everyone currently getting these benefits a letter called a "migration notice", giving you three months to claim Universal Credit.
And, if you're still waiting to move over, you could still be eligible for the winter fuel payment in the meantime.
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Households claiming tax credit or pension credit will receive the winter fuel payment automatically and won't need to apply.
But those who have a joint claim to Universal Credit where one member is over the state pension age will need to.
To claim by post, you'll need to fill in the winter fuel payment claim form.
This will be available at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim from September 16.
Households will also be able to claim by phone, and the DWP will release the helpline number online on October 10.
The deadline to claim for this winter is March 31, 2025.
Could you be eligible for Pension Credit?
HOW MUCH YOU'LL GET
Payments last year were worth between £300 and £600, depending on your specific circumstances.
This is because the amount included a "Pensioner Cost of Living Payment" - between £150 and £300.
This year, it will be worth £200 for eligible households or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.
That means you could receive up to £300 in free cash depending on your circumstances.
Most payments are made automatically in November or December.
You’ll get a letter telling you:
- How much you'll get
- Which bank account it will be paid into
If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 29, 2025, you must contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.
AVOID MISSING OUT
Over 800,000 households are eligible for pension credit but aren't claiming the benefit.
This also means they risk missing out on this year's winter fuel payment.
Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you have a partner.
This is known as "guarantee credit".
If your income is lower than this, you're very likely to be eligible for the benefit.
And, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
You could get an extra £81.50 a week if you have a disability or claim any of the following:
- Attendance allowance
- The middle or highest rate from the care component of disability living allowance (DLA)
- The daily living component of personal independence payment (PIP)
- Armed forces independence payment
- The daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.
You could get the "savings credit" part of pension credit if both of the following apply:
- You reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016
- You saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension
This part of pension credit is worth £17.01 for single people or £19.04 for couples.
It's wise to put in an application as soon as possible, as the DWP can take up to two months to process new claims.
New claims for pension credit can be backdated by three months.
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This means that the absolute deadline to claim the benefit and qualify for this year's winter fuel payment is December 21.
If you fail to apply for the benefit before this date, you won't qualify for this year's £300 winter fuel payment.
How do I apply for pension credit?
YOU can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.
Applications for pension credit can be made on the government website or by ringing the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you'll need to be with them when they do.
You'll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:
- National Insurance number
- Information about any income, savings and investments you have
- Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age)
You can also check your eligibility online by visiting www.gov.uk/pension-credit first.
If you claim after you reach pension age, you can backdate your claim for up to three months.
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