OUR Winter Fuel SOS campaign kicks off this week – as we help thousands of pensioners worried about staying warm.
It comes as ten million OAPs are set to lose their Winter Fuel Payment, due to government cutbacks, and this month’s ten per cent rise in the Energy Price Cap.
The Winter Fuel SOS crew are ready to offer advice on getting all the money and benefits that are yours by right.
Our experts are waiting to answer your questions on Wednesday, or you can email them ahead of time.
We also welcome messages from people who contact us on behalf of a friend or relative of pension age.
So if there is a vulnerable older person in your life who might be entitled to Pension Credit or other benefits, please get in touch.
Our expert panel includes Baroness Ros Altmann and former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb.
If you claim Pension Credit you could also get £9,665 a year in EXTRA benefits:
£150 Warm Home Discount one-off payment
£25 a week Cold Weather Payment
When average temperature is 0°C or below over seven consecutive days
Up to £4,338 a year housing benefit
Up to £1,670 a year council tax support
£160 a year water bill discount
£200 a year off broadband and phone
FREE NHS dental treatment, plus help towards the cost of glasses, travel to hospital
FREE TV licence worth £175 for over-75s
EXTRA Pension Credit worth up to £45.60 a week for some carers
It also includes consumer champion Martyn James and experts from Age UK, who will be on hand to guide you through your rights and entitlements.
Baroness Altmann said: “Congratulations to The Sun for raising awareness of Pension Credit and encouraging anyone who knows a pensioner on a low income to apply for this benefit.
“Not only will they get more money to live on from the Pension Credit itself, but they will be entitled to extra financial help for housing costs, council tax, health-related expenses, cold weather payments and more.”
CALL 0800 028 1978 on WEDNESDAY or email winterfuelSOS@the-sun.co.uk
Around 800,000 people risk not getting the £300 fuel payment, and other ben- efits they may be entitled to, as they have not registered for Pension Credit, which unlocks access to payment.
Pension Credit can be backdated by up to three months, so the last date you can make a claim and still get the Winter Fuel Payment is December 21.
And even if you aren’t eligible, our team will share tips on how to switch energy providers and save money, get help if you are in debt or need to save money this winter.
Your cases will be considered by our panel, who will aim to advise you within a week of your email or call.
SIR STEVE WEBB
BARONESS ROS ALTMANN
MARTYN JAMES
JONATHAN CHESTERMAN
JOE RICHARDSON
JENNY ROSS
ELISE MELVILLE
BEN GALLIZZI
ADAM STACHURA
FRAN McSWEENEY
EMILY SEYMOUR
TARA EVANS
