Martin Lewis is urging state pensioners with higher incomes to claim their £300 winter fuel payment. A recent policy shift by Labour now requires the payment to be means-tested. However, Lewis has highlighted a loophole that could still make many high-income pensioners eligible.
According to Lewis, pensioners can still qualify for Pension Credit and the winter fuel payment if they have a disability or illness that qualifies them for additional benefits like Attendance Allowance (AA). Receiving AA increases the income threshold for Pension Credit by £82 per week. Lewis shared a success story from a woman whose father, struggling with chronic arthritis, benefited from this loophole.
After qualifying for AA, he became eligible for an additional £35 per week in Pension Credit and saw his Housing Benefit increase by another £40 per week. This added up to almost £8,000 a year. The guidance also states that having savings doesn’t necessarily disqualify pensioners from receiving Pension Credit.
Savings under £10,000 are ignored, and amounts over this are only partially considered. Martin Lewis’s call to action aims to ensure pensioners check their eligibility and not miss out on critical financial support, especially with winter approaching. The additional funds can make a substantial difference in the quality of life for many older adults facing higher living and heating costs.
For more detailed guidance on how to apply, visit Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert website. The Leader of Kent County Council is urging everyone who is entitled to claim Pension Credit to ensure they are signed up as soon as possible. There could be as much as £68 million going unclaimed in Kent, and it’s estimated that nearly 18,000 eligible households are not receiving it.
Pension Credit is on average worth £186 a month.
Claiming benefits through Pension Credit
Even a smaller amount can open the door to other benefits, including a free TV licence, NHS dental treatment, NHS optical vouchers, housing benefit, and the winter fuel payment.
To be eligible, retired individuals must have an income of less than £218 a week, or £332 a week as a couple. This extra income could alleviate some financial stress and significantly improve the quality of life for many older people in Kent. Roger Gough, Leader of Kent County Council, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “The Chancellor’s decision to cut winter fuel payments to around 10 million pensioners in the UK means some older people will likely have to ration their fuel use and reduce spending on essentials.
We are collaborating with partners across the county under our Kent Together initiative to raise awareness about Pension Credit. We don’t want older people having to make the choice between eating and heating.”
KCC offers support and advice on Pension Credit eligibility and applications which can be accessed Monday to Friday, between 9 am to 5 pm. More information and the application process can be found on the Kent County Council website.
Southampton City Council is encouraging residents to find out whether they are eligible for Pension Credit, a valuable benefit that unlocks other financial help such as full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. This support also opens up eligibility for social tariffs, the Warm Home Discount, cheaper broadband, free TV licences, and lower water bills. Starting this year, Pension Credit recipients are automatically entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment, which could amount to up to £300 for a couple.
However, recent changes to the Winter Fuel Payment mean that eligible pensioners will miss out on this support if they don’t claim Pension Credit before December 21, 2024. Councillor Christie Lambert, Cabinet Member for Communities and Safer City at Southampton City Council, said: “We want to encourage people to consider whether they might be eligible to claim Pension Credit, as there are people in our city who would truly benefit from receiving this money. It could be that some residents are not aware of these recent changes, so if you have family or friends of pension age, please do let them know.
We will be publicising this information at regular intervals across our council communication channels, so please do follow us online and help us spread the word. When it comes to claiming benefits, some people might feel embarrassed, but there should be no shame in claiming for money that you are entitled to. The welfare system is there to support us all.”
For further information about benefits and assistance with bills, money, and food support, visit the Southampton City Council’s website.
- Express.”Martin Lewis urges state pensioners on ‘higher income’ to claim £300 Winter Fuel Payment”.
- Kent.”Up to 18 thousand eligible Kent households still not claiming Pension Credit”.
- BitterNePark.”Council urges residents to take up unclaimed pensions benefit ”.