- Most pensioners will lose out on their £100 to £300 Winter Fuel Payments
- But the better news is that there is other help available for those struggling
Hundreds of thousands of pensioners will lose out on Winter Fuel Payments worth up to £300 each this winter – but there is other energy bill help still available.
MPs yesterday voted that the Government should go ahead with plans to means test Winter Fuel Payments, meant to help retirees with the cost of high winter energy bills.
Previously, Winter Fuel Payment was paid to all pensioners. But these payments have now been cut back so that only those on benefits like Pension Credit will get it from this winter.
Losing the Winter Fuel Payment is a blow to pensioners, but the good news is that other energy bill help is available for retirees.
Eating or heating: Charities for the elderly have warned the Government that many pensioners will need to choose between groceries and energy bills after losing Winter Fuel Payments
Pension Credit
Pension Credit tops up the weekly income of poorer pensioners to a minimum of £218.15 for single people and £332.95 for couples.
If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
Pension credit also opens the door to a lot of additional help with household bills, including the Winter Fuel Payment.
The issue is that Pension Credit must be claimed, and is not paid out automatically.
Six in 10 households that are eligible for Pension Credit do not claim.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount scheme discounts energy bills of certain low income households.
The way the scheme works is to make a one-off annual payment of £150 directly to the electricity supplier of eligible households.
It is paid to retirees who claim the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit, and to those of working age if they have other qualifying benefits.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) tells energy suppliers if one of their customers falls within this group and money is then automatically credited to the customer’s electricity account.
Cold Weather Payment
Cold Weather Payment is a benefit paid by the DWP to households in areas where the temperature is at or below zero degrees celsius for seven days straight.
Retirees need to be claiming Pension Credit to be eligible, and the money should be paid out directly by the DWP into bank accounts.
The scheme becomes active from 1 November 2024 and runs until 31 March 2025.
Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund is a pot of Government cash, handed out by local councils, to those struggling with the cost of living.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall topped up the fund by £421million in early September 2024.
The way the money is handed out by councils varies. Some will pay cash, normally under £200, while others prefer vouchers that can be spent in shops.
To access the Household Support Fund you need to apply through your local council directly.
They will check that you really need the money, which is likely to involve proving you cannot meet your needs any other way – such as being unable to pay for the heating you need.
Help from your energy firm
Energy firms are obliged by regulator Ofgem to offer support to those struggling with bills.
Rarely, this can take the form of bill discounts or access to grants through hardship funds.
It is more likely your energy firm will offer you a review of your payments, or a payment holiday, to give you more time.
To find out what you are eligible for, you will need to contact your energy firm directly.
Grants from charities and local organisations
There are many grants available from charities and local groups that can help anyone in need.
These tend to be targeted to a specific group of people, such as the elderly, those with certain health conditions, living in certain regions or from particular religions or professions.
The charity Turn2Us has a useful online calculator that will tell you which grants you might be eligible for.
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