Hundreds of thousands of elderly citizens could be in line for “direct financial help” as the possibility emerges for £25 Cold Weather Payments in the coming weeks. Older individuals are being encouraged to check if they are missing out on unclaimed benefits they are entitled to.
The spotlight shone on this support scheme after Labour was queried in Parliament about possibly extending eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments. For this winter, you’ll need to receive a particular means-tested benefit, like Pension Credit, and be of state pension age to qualify for the payment, presently valued at £200 or £300.
In earlier years, most people of state pension age would have automatically received the payment. Addressing the question, Work and Pensions minister, Torsten Bell, highlighted available support for pensioners, such as the Cold Weather Payment.
This initiative grants £25 payments offering “direct financial help” to lower-income pensioners when the temperature plummets below freezing for seven sequential days. With the scheme open until March’s conclusion, eligibility for the payout hinges on local weather station forecasts, having already triggered millions of payments this winter.
To qualify for Cold Weather Payments, one criterion is being a Pension Credit claimant, but recipients of Universal Credit might be eligible too, reports the Express.
Mr Bell highlighted the Warm Home Discount scheme, which offers a one-time £150 reduction on your electricity bill for eligible customers whose supplier participates in the programme. He noted that over one million pensioners will qualify for this aid during the winter, including those receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and others on low incomes.
On the topic of broadening the eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment, Mr Bell confirmed “there are no plans to change the eligibility criteria”. He also stressed the importance for pensioners to verify if they’re entitled to Pension Credit, as it’s estimated that hundreds of thousands might not be claiming what they’re due.
Mr Bell stated: “We want to ensure as many people as possible have access to this support and urge pensioners to check their eligibility.”
He elaborated that “Pension Credit will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payments in future, alongside other benefits – including help with rent, council tax, fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75. That’s why Government is taking significant steps to raise awareness and maximise take-up.”
Additionally, he encouraged pensioners with low income or those struggling to pay bills to reach out to their local council for potential assistance. Councils offer various cost of living aids depending on the locality, such as food vouchers or energy bill support, through the Household Support Fund in England.
This fund is available until April 2025. You can identify your local council using this Government tool.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice.
