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End of Winter Fuel Allowance – Importance of a Benefit Check

Published on 09 September 2024 04:05 PM

You will no doubt have heard about the changes affecting pensioners across the UK, and the Government’s decision to end the Annual Fuel Allowance as standard for everyone with a State Pension income.  

A recent press release urged all pensioners to check if they could be missing out on Fuel Allowance eligibility by checking if they could be entitled to a means tested benefit; Pension Credit. Pension Credit awareness drive as thousands of eligible pensioners yet to claim - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

  • Claiming Pension Credit can also passport pensioners to additional help with housing costs, council tax, and heating bills 
  • Comes as Deputy Prime Minister and Work and Pensions Secretary write to Local Authorities to boost uptake of pension credit in their local areas 

The Department for Work and Pensions is today urging pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit in order to secure this year’s Winter Fuel Payment. 

It comes as the government has had to make some difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy due to the dire state of the public finances, with the Winter Fuel Payment – worth up to £300 - set to be means-tested and delivered to those on Pension Credit to ensure it is targeted towards those in most need. 

Around 1.3 million households in England and Wales will continue to receive Winter Fuel Payments, but the government is determined to boost take-up of Pension Credit to ensure low-income pensioners continue to get this help. 

Sutton Council have shared with us that they estimate around 300 households of pensioners are not claiming Pension Credit when they could be entitled to this additional income and the Winter Fuel Payments.  

Age UK Sutton are keen to support any older person living in Sutton to check if they are getting their full income and disability entitlements – we do this by carrying out a comprehensive Benefit Calculation Check and providing advice on how to claim respond to communications with the DWP.  

This winter the Community Support Team are delivering a Warm Home Programme from September to March to identify people at risk of fuel poverty who could benefit from a check and give support to apply for Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance.  

Please be aware that claims for Pension Credit need to be processed by DWP by the 20th December in order to qualify for a backdated payment to get this year’s Winter Fuel Allowance.  

From your initial enquiry with Age UK Sutton, we will endeavour to see you for a confidential appointment within 2-3 weeks, but with an expected demand for this support – do not delay getting in touch as waiting times could increase.  

  • Call the team today on 020 8078 0002 to book your Benefit Calculation Check appointment 
  • Drop in to the office Monday – Friday 09:30 – 16:00 to book your Benefit Calculation Check appointment 

Most importantly do not assume that because you get State Pension that you won’t qualify for additional support – as there are many variables that apply when making an assessment for eligibility for Pension Credit – get a full check from a trained staff member as soon as possible to be certain.