Money

Exact date millions should automatically receive winter fuel payment by – and what to do if you don’t get it --[Reported by Umva mag]

MILLIONS of pensioners are set to receive their Winter Fuel Payments this winter to help with energy bills. This benefit, which can be as much as £300, is typically paid automatically to eligible individuals. Millions of pensioners are set to receive their Winter Fuel Payments this year The automatic payment can be as much as £300 For most, the Winter Fuel Payment will be made automatically – no application required. The key date to note is January 29, 2025. By this date, the payments will be processed for those who qualify, with most receiving the money directly in their bank accounts. What is the winter fuel payment? The Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help people aged 66 or older with their energy bills. For the winter of 2024 to 2025, eligible pensioners could receive a payment worth up to £300. The amount varies based on factors like age and household circumstances. Those who are over 80 may receive a higher sum of £300, while those aged between 66 and 79 will get £200. For the vast majority of pensioners, the money will land in their bank accounts without the need for action, as long as they have been receiving certain benefits such as Pension Credit, Income Support, or Universal Credit. If you do not receive your Winter Fuel Payment by the January 29 deadline, it’s important to act promptly. You will need to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 to make a claim. Keep in mind, the deadline for submitting a claim for winter 2024-2025 is March 31, 2025. The payment is now restricted to pensioners who are claiming certain means-tested benefits. This includes: Pension Credit (a key qualifier) Universal Credit Income Support Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) In particular, those claiming Pension Credit should make sure to apply for it, as this benefit is the gateway to receiving the Winter Fuel Payment. Pension Credit can top up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single or £332.95 for couples. Notably, over 800,000 pensioners are missing out on this benefit, and without it, they won’t qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment. HOW TO CLAIM If you think you are eligible, it’s essential to claim Pension Credit as soon as possible. The latest claims can be backdated for up to three months, with the final date to claim for the 2024-2025 Winter Fuel Payment being December 21, 2024. If you’re already receiving Pension Credit or another qualifying benefit, the Winter Fuel Payment will be paid to you automatically. How do i apply for pension credit? YOU can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age. Applications for pension credit can be made on the government website or by ringing the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234. You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you’ll need to be with them when they do. You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one: National Insurance number Information about any income, savings and investments you have Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age) If you claim after you reach pension age, you can backdate your claim for up to three months. With over 800,000 pensioners potentially missing out on Pension Credit, it’s critical for those eligible to act now. Not only will this ensure you get the Winter Fuel Payment, but it can unlock additional support throughout the year. If you don’t get your Winter Fuel Payment by January 29, 2025, don’t delay – contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre and make your claim before the deadline.

Oct 9, 2024 - 10:42

Exact date millions should automatically receive winter fuel payment by – and what to do if you don’t get it --[Reported by Umva mag]

MILLIONS of pensioners are set to receive their Winter Fuel Payments this winter to help with energy bills.

This benefit, which can be as much as £300, is typically paid automatically to eligible individuals.

EMBARGOED TO 0001 WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 09 File photo dated 19/11/14 of a generic stock photo of an elderly lady sitting at home in Liverpool with her electric fire on. Four in every five pensioners living below or just above the poverty line will lose the winter fuel payment under planned benefit cuts, according to charity Age UK. Issue date: Wednesday October 9, 2024. PA Photo. Age UK said its analysis suggested that 10.7 million UK pensioners will lose the benefit, of whom almost one in four (23%) live in poverty - with a household income of less than 60% of the median - or just above the poverty line. See PA story CONSUMER WinterFuel. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire — Millions of pensioners are set to receive their Winter Fuel Payments this year

File photo dated 12/09/18 of models houses on a pile of coins and bank notes. The Government is being urged to scrap Lifetime Isa penalties for first-time buyers in the autumn Budget as it emerged some savers are being charged at least ¿11,000 to withdraw their cash. Issue date: Thursday October 3, 2024. PA Photo. Data obtained from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and published by money app Plum showed that in the tax year 2022-23 the average of the top 25 penalties paid for unauthorised withdrawals was ¿11,000. See PA story MONEY Savings. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire — The automatic payment can be as much as £300

For most, the Winter Fuel Payment will be made automatically – no application required.

The key date to note is January 29, 2025.

By this date, the payments will be processed for those who qualify, with most receiving the money directly in their bank accounts.

What is the winter fuel payment?

The Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help people aged 66 or older with their energy bills.

For the winter of 2024 to 2025, eligible pensioners could receive a payment worth up to £300.

The amount varies based on factors like age and household circumstances.

Those who are over 80 may receive a higher sum of £300, while those aged between 66 and 79 will get £200.

For the vast majority of pensioners, the money will land in their bank accounts without the need for action, as long as they have been receiving certain benefits such as Pension Credit, Income Support, or Universal Credit.

If you do not receive your Winter Fuel Payment by the January 29 deadline, it’s important to act promptly.

You will need to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 to make a claim.

Keep in mind, the deadline for submitting a claim for winter 2024-2025 is March 31, 2025.

The payment is now restricted to pensioners who are claiming certain means-tested benefits. This includes:

Pension Credit (a key qualifier)
Universal Credit
Income Support
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

In particular, those claiming Pension Credit should make sure to apply for it, as this benefit is the gateway to receiving the Winter Fuel Payment.

Pension Credit can top up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single or £332.95 for couples.

Notably, over 800,000 pensioners are missing out on this benefit, and without it, they won’t qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.

HOW TO CLAIM

If you think you are eligible, it’s essential to claim Pension Credit as soon as possible.

The latest claims can be backdated for up to three months, with the final date to claim for the 2024-2025 Winter Fuel Payment being December 21, 2024.

If you’re already receiving Pension Credit or another qualifying benefit, the Winter Fuel Payment will be paid to you automatically.

How do i apply for pension credit?

YOU can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.

Applications for pension credit can be made on the government website or by ringing the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you’ll need to be with them when they do.

You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:

National Insurance number
Information about any income, savings and investments you have
Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age)

If you claim after you reach pension age, you can backdate your claim for up to three months.

With over 800,000 pensioners potentially missing out on Pension Credit, it’s critical for those eligible to act now.

Not only will this ensure you get the Winter Fuel Payment, but it can unlock additional support throughout the year.

If you don’t get your Winter Fuel Payment by January 29, 2025, don’t delay – contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre and make your claim before the deadline.

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