Can I benefit from winter fuel payment?
It’s not too late!
There has recently been an outcry from politicians in the media over the cessation of the universal payment of the winter fuel allowance to all pensioners.
I agree with the Prime Minister who prevented the rich from benefiting from this aid; there are millions more who are slightly above the eligibility threshold. These are the people his decision will have the most impact on. Some are just a few pounds over the income limit and are set to lose hundreds when energy suppliers again announced a price rise amounting to £149 per household.
How much money has the average retiree lost?
The average pensioner loses £349 while the cost of living shows no real signs of improvement, which will make winter 2024 still very difficult for many. This will affect around 10 million UK residents as part of the government’s bid to save money.
Short-sighted cost reduction!
What appears to be a cost reduction in one department will have a negative impact on another, ignoring the increased burden facing the NHS.
The NHS will bear the brunt!
Last winter, the media reported how retirees chose to “heat or eat”. Millions more retirees face this challenge this year, causing hypothermia, heart attacks, strokes and preventable falls. The NHS faces a tough winter managing preventable cold illnesses.
880,000 households have not made a claim.
The decision to reduce the payment affected almost 10 million claimants, but it is estimated that more than 880,000 retirees did not benefit. Many retirees find the process of applying for benefits intimidating, and it can be. Some still don’t use the Internet and others think they won’t be able to benefit from this payment. Payment depends on the pension credit claim.
What is pension credit?
Pension credit gives you extra money to help cover your living costs if you are over pension age and on a low income. This is an ‘entrance benefit’, which means it may qualify you for other support, such as help with housing costs.
Am I entitled to winter fuel payment?
You are entitled to payment if you were born before September 23, 1958.
You must also live in England or Wales and obtain one of the following:
- Pension credit
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) based on income
- Income support
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credit
You must also have received an allowance during the admission week from September 16 to 22, 2024.
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible if you:
- live in Scotland
- have been hospitalized and receiving free treatment for more than a year
- or live in a retirement home for the entire period from June 24 to September 22, 2024
If you live in a retirement home
You can get a winter fuel payment if:
- you benefit from certain benefits and are eligible
- you have been residing in a retirement home for less than 13 weeks, including the week of September 16 to 22, 2024
It’s not too late!
There has been a huge increase in people claiming pension credit as winter fuel payments can be backdated. You may not get it when it is paid to everyone, but you will get it if you are eligible.