When it comes to spilling the tea, some of us may hate being the last to know. Hopefully, this will not be the case with the Department for Work and Pensions’ latest announcement. DWP is giving a second chance for Winter Fuel Payments. The act of generosity follows the analysis of the DWP’s latest data, which indicated that over 800,000 people missed out on winter support payments in the year before. Only some people will be contacted directly, so discover what must be done if you are not contacted.
More than 800,000 missed it for this reason
By now, most of us are suffering from severe pre-headaches due to the forecast of an increased risk of frost later this month. The upcoming colder, humid weather means that more heating will be utilised and that electricity bills will start to rise. Thankfully, winter support programmes are there for a reason. Yet, so many people who should qualify miss out on these payments.
The DWP’s data indicated that the winter support payments were linked to a particular benefit programme last year, and this is why more than 800,000 Britons missed out on Winter Fuel Payments. The numbers remained surprisingly high, even though the majority qualified after Labour reforms. In an attempt to “right the wrong,” the DWP will be giving a second chance for Winter Fuel Payments this year.
DWP gives a second chance for Winter Fuel Payments
Some people, unfortunately, can no longer claim Winter Fuel Payments, as the DWP has released the list of “ineligible” Britons. While these Britons may not necessarily be able to help it, more than 800,000 can. Thousands did not receive Winter Fuel Payments as a result of not claiming Pension Credit benefits. For the past ten years, the number of Pension Credit beneficiaries has remained between 61% and 66%.
DWP data also indicated spatial imbalances, as some regions had fewer Pension Credit beneficiaries than others. Minister for Pensions, Torsten Bell, advocated the benefit programme, stating that it is an easy method to provide the most vulnerable with additional support for things such as bills or a free TV licence. After the first attempt to boost Pension Credit benefit claimant numbers with Winter Fuel Payment reforms, a second chance is underway.
Some will be contacted directly, and others must claim
The Winter Fuel Payment reforms resulted in approximately 56,700 more people claiming benefits from the Pension Credit programme. Now, nearly 2,000 pensioners in England will be contacted directly and can expect a letter from the DWP encouraging them to claim Pension Credit. Mr Bell added to his statement:
“I’d urge anyone who thinks they, or anyone they know, might be able to claim Pension Credit, to take a few minutes out of their day to check and apply. This country’s pensioners deserve every penny they are entitled to.”
You can use the DWP tool to check if you need to claim. If you are still not entirely convinced, by claiming Pension Credit, you could receive:
- A minimum of £227.10 weekly in Pension Credit benefits, or
- Approximately up to £4,000 annually, and
- Between £200 and £300 in Winter Fuel Payments
The cost of living is already significantly high, and seasonal increases only add insult to injury. By not claiming from the programme, pensioners, especially those on low income, miss out on the opportunity to greatly benefit and boost their living standards. Another benefit programme that people may be missing out on by not claiming Pension Credit is the Household Support Fund, worth £200 for the new qualifying group. With all that being said, your fate is in your hands. If you choose not to claim, you choose to miss out.
Disclaimer: Our coverage of one-off payments, support payments, tax reliefs, tax refunds, tax credits and other payments is based on the official sources listed in the article. All payment amounts and dates, as well as eligibility requirements, are subject to change by the governing institutions. Always consult the official source we provide to stay up to date and obtain information for your decision-making.