MILLIONS face having their Winter Fuel Payment cut this year – but many of those people could be missing out unnecessarily.
There are several benefits that give access to the annual payment of up to £300 – and claiming one you’re eligible for now could mean you still receive the payment this winter.
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The Winter Fuel Payment was previously available to everyone aged at least 66 – the current state pension age.
But in July, the Government announced the payment would become means-tested, meaning only those on certain benefits are eligible, with 10million households set to miss out this winter.
But, people on Income Support, Tax Credits and Universal Credit, as well as Pension Credit, are all still eligible for the payment.
To qualify for this year’s benefit, you must have an active claim for one of the qualifying benefits during what’s known as the “qualifying week” – this year, that’s from September 16 to 22.
However, claims can be backdated by between one and three months, depending on the benefit you’re applying through – so it’s not to late to claim.
This makes the actual final deadline 21 December, to backdate it by three months to the qualifying week.
Even if you think you’re not eligible, it’s worth double checking as even a small claim could boost your bank balance.
The amount you get for the Winter Fuel Payment varies depending on your age.
If you are aged between 66 and 79, you will get £200, while those aged 80 or over will receive £300.
Here’s a full list of all the benefits that are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment:
Pension Credit
Those receiving Pension Credit are automatically entitled to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.
Pension Credit is a government benefit designed to top up your weekly income if you are a state pensioner with low earnings.
There are two parts to the benefit: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner.
Savings Credit is extra money you get if you have some savings or your income is above the basic full state pension amount – £169.50.
Savings Credit is only available to people who reached state pension age before April 6, 2016.
Usually, you only qualify for Pension Credit if your income is below the £218.15 or £332.95 thresholds.
However, you can sometimes be eligible for Savings Credit or Guarantee Credit if your income is above the threshold, depending on your circumstances.
For example, if you are suffering from a severe disability and claiming Attendance Allowance, as well as other benefits, you can get an extra £81.50 a week.
Meanwhile, you can get either £66.29 a week or £76.79 a week for each child you’re responsible and caring for.
The rules behind who qualifies for Pension Credit can be complicated, so the best thing to do is check.
You can do this by using the Government’s Pension Credit calculator on its website.
Claims for the Winter Fuel Payment through Pension Credit can also be backdated by up to three months.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit applicants aged over 66 will be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.
If you’re not able to apply for Pension Credit because your partner has not reached State Pension age, you may be able to claim Universal Credit instead.
The benefit is worth up to £618 a month with the standard allowance, before the Winter Fuel Payment is added.
To receive Universal Credit you need to be on a low income or need help with your living costs and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments.
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 £393.45 for a single person over 25 and £617.60 for a couple.
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 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.
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
If you’re aged over 66 and receive income-related Employment and Support Allowance you’ll be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.
You can no longer apply to receive income-related Employment and Support Allowance as applicants are being migrated on to Universal Credit.
But, if you already receive the benefit you will be in line for a payment.
In April, the Department for Work and Pensions brought forward its plans to move those on income-related Employment Support Allowance to Universal Credit by three years.
All two million claimants on legacy benefits are set to move to Universal Credit (UC) or pension credit under a process known as managed migration.
The managed migration process began in May last year after a successful pilot in July 2019.
Eligible households are being contacted via letters explaining how to make the move from tax credits to Universal Credit.
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
If you’re aged over 66 and receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance you’ll be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.
You can no longer apply to receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance as applicants are being migrated on to Universal Credit.
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance is a benefit for people who are not in full-time employment (work less than 16 hours per week), are capable of working and are looking for work.
Two million claimants on legacy benefits are gradually making the move to Universal Credit through a process known as “managed migration”.
From this month, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) began contacting those claiming income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, asking them to make the switch.
Income Support
If you’re aged over 66 and receive Income Support you’ll be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.
You can no longer apply to receive Income Support as applicants are being migrated to Universal Credit.
But, if you already receive the benefit, you will be in line for a payment.
Two million claimants on legacy benefits are gradually making the move to Universal Credit under a process known as managed migration.
Child Tax Credit
If you receive Child Tax Credit and are over 66, you can claim the Winter Fuel Payment.
You can claim Child Tax Credit if you’re responsible for a child under 16, or between 16 and 20 and in full-time approved education or training.
You can only make a claim for Child Tax Credit if you already get Working Tax Credit.
What you receive depends on how many children you’re responsible for and when they were born, but it could be £3,455 per child.
If you cannot apply for Child Tax Credit, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit instead.
Or, for Pension Credit if you and your partner are state pension age or over.
Working Tax Credit
If you receive Working Tax Credit and are over 66, you can claim the Winter Fuel Payment.
You can only make a claim for Working Tax Credit if you already get Child Tax Credit.
But, if you cannot apply for Working Tax Credit, you can apply for Universal Credit instead.
Or, you might be able to apply for Pension Credit if you and your partner are both 66 or over.
To be eligible for Working Tax Credit you must work 16 hours or over.
There’s not a set limit for income and the bar rises depends on if you have dependants or pay for childcare.
The basic amount is up to £2,435 a year.
Whatever your situation it’s worth checking what benefits you can receive as some 850,000 people who could be claiming Pension Credit and, in turn, the Winter Fuel Payment, have not yet applied to receive it.
Age UK has a simple-to-use benefit calculator, which can be used to determine what support you could receive.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
How much is the winter fuel payment and how is it paid?
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.
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