Can I Get the Winter Fuel Payment?
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It’s Not Too Late!
There has been a recent uproar from Media Politicians about stopping universal payments of Winter Fuel Allowance to all pensioners.
I agree with the Prime Minister for stopping wealthy individuals from receiving it, there are millions more who are marginally over the qualifying threshold. It’s these people his decision is going to impact the hardest. Some are only a few pounds over the income limit and are set to lose hundreds when energy providers have again announced a price hike amounting to £149 per household.
How Much Money Has the Average Pensioner Lost?
The average pensioner is losing £349 when the cost of living is showing no genuine signs of improvement this is going to make Winter 2024 another very tough one for many. This will affect approximately 10 million UK residents in the Government’s bid to save money.
Shortsighted Cost-Cutting!
What seems like cost-cutting in one department, will negatively impact another, overlooking the increased burden facing the NHS.
The NHS Will Bear The Brunt!
Last Winter, the Media reported how pensioners chose to “Heat or Eat”. This challenge is facing millions more pensioners this year, causing preventable hypothermia, heart attacks, strokes and falls. The NHS is facing a difficult Winter managing preventable cold-related illnesses.
880,000 Households Haven’t Claimed.
The decision to cut the payment has affected almost 10 million claimants, however, more than 880,000 pensioners are estimated to be missing out. Many pensioners find the application process for benefits daunting, and it can be. Some still don’t use the internet and others think they won’t qualify for the payment. The payment is reliant on claiming Pension Credit.
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. It is a “gateway benefit” meaning it can lead to you receiving other help such as help with housing costs.
Am I Entitled To The Winter Fuel Payment?
You’re eligible to receive the payment if you were born before 23 September 1958.
You must also live in England or Wales and get one of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
You’ll also need to have been getting a benefit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024.
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible if you:
- live in Scotland
- have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
- or living in a care home for the whole time from 24 June to 22 September 2024
If you live in a care home
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if:
- you get certain benefits and are eligible
- you have lived in a care home for less than 13 weeks including the week of 16 to 22 September 2024
It’s Not Too Late!
There has been a huge surge in people applying for Pension Credit because the Winter Fuel Payment can be backdated. You might not get it when it’s paid to everyone else but you will receive it if you are eligible.
