THOUSANDS of households will be able to claim to get the £300 winter fuel payment within just days.
Cuts made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean that 10million pensioners will no longer be eligible for benefit worth up to £300 this winter.
The energy bill help was previously available to everyone aged above 66.
However, the cash is now only be given to retirees on pension credit, or other means-tested benefits, including Income Support and Universal Credit.
To qualify for this year’s winter fuel payment, you must have been claiming pension credit or any of the benefits listed above during the qualifying week.
This will take place between September 16 and 22.
The claim form that allows certain eligible households to apply for the winter fuel payment by post will also be available from Monday, September 16.
Those wishing to apply for support by phone can do so from Thursday, October 10.
However, it’s important to recognise that not everyone will need to apply for the winter fuel payment.
Most households will receive the winter fuel payment automatically and won’t need to apply.
However, 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 claim form.
The deadline to claim for this winter is March 31, 2025.
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.
HUNDREDS of thousands of pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit.
The Sun’s Assistant Consumer Editor Lana Clements explains why it’s imperative to apply for the benefit..
Pension Credit is designed to top up the income of the UK’s poorest pensioners.
In itself the payment is a vital lifeline for older people with little income.
It will take weekly income up to to £218.15 if you’re single or joint income to £332.95.
Yet, an estimated 800,000 don’t claim this support. Not only are they missing on this cash, but far more extra support that is unlocked when claiming Pension Credit.
With the winter fuel payment – worth up to £300 now being restricted to pensioners claiming Pension Credit – it’s more important than ever to claim the benefit if you can.
Pension Credit also opens up help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills and even a free TV licence if you are 75 or older.
All this extra support can make a huge difference to the quality of life for a struggling pensioner.
It’s not difficult to apply for Pension Credit, you can do it up to four months before you reach state pension age through the government website or by calling 0800 99 1234.
You’ll just need your National Insurance number, as well as information about income, savings and investments.
However, 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:
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.
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.
However, 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:
You could get the “savings credit” part of pension credit if both of the following apply:
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.
However, new claims for pension credit can be backdated by three months.
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.
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:
If you claim after you reach pension age, you can backdate your claim for up to three months.
