HOUSEHOLDS should be aware of a little-known Winter Fuel Payment loophole that means thousands can claim £300 despite not getting Pension Credit.
The benefit was previously available to everyone aged 66 but cuts made by Labour now mean only those on means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit get the help.
It spurred outrage from many charities and members of the public, with many scared it could tip vulnerable elderly people into fuel poverty.
Sir Keir Starmer has now announced plans to ease cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance.
Speaking yesterday the PM said ministers would change the threshold to allow “more pensioners” to qualify again.
However, Starmer was sparse on details about who might get the benefit reinstated or when the changes might take place.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but if you are worried about rising energy bills this coming winter you should consider using this loophole.
If you’re over the state pension age and receive Pension Credit, you could be eligible for a £300 payment.
To get this payment, you’ll need to have an active claim for one of the qualifying benefits during a specific week, which will be announced later this year.
The good news is that claims can be backdated by one to three months, depending on the benefit, so there’s still time to apply if you haven’t already.
If you’re over the state pension age but your partner isn’t, you can’t apply for Pension Credit.
However, couples in this situation may be able to claim Universal Credit, which makes them eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.
Thousands of couples could be missing out on this benefit, which is worth up to £628.10 a month with the standard allowance.
CHECK IF YOU QUALIFY
Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs.
To claim, you typically need to:
- Live in the UK
- Be aged 18 or over
- Be under State Pension age (unless you’re part of a mixed-aged couple)
- Have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments
How much money you’ll get depends on your personal circumstances, but the monthly standard award is £400.14 for a single person over 25 and £628.10 for a couple who are both over that age.
If you have a disability or health condition, or if your child does, there are extra top ups you can get in your Universal Credit award.
If you rent, you can also get help towards those costs and any service fees you might pay.
If you have over £6,000 in money, savings and investments, your payment will be reduced by £4.35 for every £250 you have between £6,000 and £16,000.
Another £4.35 is taken off for any remaining amount that is not a complete £250.
However, if you’re moving over from tax credits as part of the managed migration process, the savings limits will not apply for the first twelve months.
You can apply for Universal Credit online by visiting gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.