Winter Gasoline Cost loophole which means hundreds of eligible pensioners might miss out on £300 fee

THOUSANDS of eligible pensioners might miss out on the £300 Winter Gasoline Cost due to a loophole.

Prior to now the Winter Gasoline Cost, value as much as £300, was obtainable to everybody aged 66 and above.

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Nonetheless, current modifications by Chancellor Rachel Reeves imply that round 10million pensioners will now not obtain the profit.

Now, the fee is proscribed to retirees on Pension Credit score or these receiving sure different means-tested advantages.

This contains state pensioners claiming revenue help, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment help allowance, tax credit, or Common Credit score.

To qualify for this yr’s Winter Gasoline Cost, you will need to have an energetic declare for any of those advantages throughout the “qualifying week”, which runs from September 16 to 22 (this week).

Over 800,000 households are regarded as lacking out on Pension Credit score, which unlocks their eligibility for this yr’s winter gas fee.

You would possibly assume that in case you do not apply for it earlier than the top of the week, you will not qualify for this yr’s fee.

However new claims for pension credit score will be backdated by as much as three months.

Because of this absolutely the deadline to assert the profit and qualify for this yr’s Winter Gasoline Cost is December 21.

After all, in case you fail to use for the profit earlier than this date, you will not qualify for this yr’s £300.

Nonetheless, a little-known loophole implies that hundreds of entitled pensioner households could miss out.

It is necessary to do not forget that you’ll have to request that your declare is backdated for 3 months if you apply.

If you happen to do not tick the field asking to have it backdate, then it will not occur routinely.

Because of this hundreds of pensioners might miss out in the event that they overlook this necessary field.

Caroline Abrahams CBE, charity director at Age UK stated: “The excellent news is that in case you apply for Pension Credit score earlier than December 21m you possibly can nonetheless qualify for a Winter Gasoline Cost this yr.

“Nonetheless, it’s necessary to grasp that for this to occur, it’s a must to request that your declare is backdated for 3 months, and it’s a must to have been eligible for it then, in addition to now- so look out for it as you fill within the kind.

“Any delays in processing Pension Credit score claims won’t change the date of the declare, so in case you apply earlier than December 21, qualify and request your declare to be backdated, you’ll nonetheless get a Winter Gasoline Cost this winter.”

CHECK IF YOU QUALIFY

Pension Credit score tops up your weekly revenue to £218.15 in case you are single or to £332.95 in case you have a companion.

This is named “assure credit score”.

In case your revenue is decrease than this, you are very prone to be eligible for the profit.

Nonetheless, in case your revenue is barely larger, you would possibly nonetheless be eligible for pension credit score in case you have a incapacity, you take care of somebody, you could have financial savings or you could have housing prices.

You would get an additional £81.50 every week in case you have a incapacity or declare any of the next:

• Attendance allowance
• The center or highest charge from the care element of incapacity dwelling allowance (DLA)
• The each day dwelling element of private independence fee (PIP)
• Armed forces independence fee
• The each day dwelling element of grownup incapacity fee (ADP) at the usual or enhanced charge.

You would get the “financial savings credit score” a part of pension credit score if each of the next apply:

• You reached State Pension age earlier than April 6, 2016
• You saved some cash for retirement, for instance, a private or office pension

This a part of pension credit score is value £17.01 for single folks or £19.04 for {couples}.

Pension credit score opens the door to different help, together with housing advantages, value of dwelling funds, council tax reductions and the winter gas fee.

Claims for pension credit score additionally open doorways to various freebies and reductions.

For instance, pension credit score claimants over 75 qualify for a free TV licence value as much as £169.50 a yr.

Claims for the profit additionally present eligibility to £25 every week chilly climate funds and the £150 heat dwelling low cost.

We now have a information on all of the state pension freebies and reductions you will get.

How a lot is the winter gas fee and the way is it paid?

Funds final yr have been value between £300 and £600, relying in your particular circumstances.

It’s because the quantity included a “Pensioner Value of Dwelling Cost” – between £150 and £300. 

This yr, it is going to be value £200 for eligible households or £300 for eligible households with somebody aged over 80.

Meaning you may obtain as much as £300 in free money relying in your circumstances.

Most funds are made routinely in November or December.

You’ll get a letter telling you:

• How a lot you may get
• Which checking account it is going to be paid into

If you don’t get a letter or the cash has not been paid into your account by January 29, 2025, you will need to contact the Winter Gasoline Cost Centre on 0800 731 0160.

Do you could have a cash downside that wants sorting? Get in contact by emailing money-sm@information.co.uk.

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