State Pensioners can claim up to £9,100 from the government after losing the £300 Winter Fuel Payment this year.
Under the previous government, the Winter Fuel Payment was a universal benefit issued to people of State Pension age to help cover heating costs over the winter.
But under new Labour rules the benefit is now means-tested, meaning millions of pensioners will now miss out on the free handout.
To get the £300, you must have been born before September 23, 1959 and be in receipt of at least one of the following seven DWP benefits:
The DWP estimates that only 1.5 million pensioners will get the Winter Fuel Payment this year following the changes – a stark drop compared to the 10.8 million who qualified last winter.
But pensioners who are set to miss out may be entitled to claim three other government benefits amounting to more than £9,000. These include Attendance Allowance, Council Tax support and Pension Credit.
Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit to cover extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help care for you. You can get a payout of £3,778 or £5,644 per year if you qualify, as well as extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.
You must’ve reached State Pension age to be eligible and:
-
have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both
-
your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
-
you have needed that help for at least six months
According to Martin Lewis’ MSE, up to 2.25 million pensioners miss out on around £1,500 a year in council tax support. If you’re on a low income or claim certain benefits, your bill could be reduced by up to 100%. The amount depends on where you live as each council runs on its own scheme, but the reduction is not automatic so you must apply for it online via GOV.UK.
The third major benefit that around 760,000 pensioners miss out on is Pension Credit, which is worth an average of £3,900 per year.
Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single, or to £332.95 if you have a partner. It also opens the door to a swathe of other benefits if you qualify, including:
-
Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
-
£300 Winter Fuel Payment
-
Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
-
a Council Tax discount
-
a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over
-
help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit
-
help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
-
a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house
