Three payments worth £1,050 you could get in October - check if you're eligible for money help
People may be able to receive help towards their energy bills as the weather becomes colder - here are details of the initiatives in place
by James Rodger, Sonia Sharma · ChronicleLiveHouseholds are being made aware of three payments worth £1050 which you could get from the Government in October.
As the Cost of Living crisis continues, people have been told there are ways to get help if you're struggling financially. You could get help towards your energy bills as the weather becomes colder but there are strict eligibility rules.
Looking ahead, most people claiming DWP benefits will be entitled to this year's £10 Christmas bonus. All state pensioners are also eligible, irrespective of their income, reports BirminghamLive. More details of schemes in place are outlined below.
Warm Home Discount - £150
The Warm Home Discount scheme gives a one-off payment of £150 to those who are potentially struggling to pay their energy bills during the cold winter months. Don’t forget, if you live in England or Wales and are eligible for the payment, you won't need to apply as the Government will automatically tell firms who to pay.
There are two groups eligible for the Warm Home Discount; Core Group 1 and Core Group 2. If you meet the criteria for these groups and have a energy supply on the qualification date (11 August 2024) – then your firm willlet you know if you’re eligible by early December.
The discount can be applied at any point between October and March, with energy companies deciding when to implement it.
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Winter Fuel Payments - £300
Winter Fuel Payments, which can be worth up to £300, were previously given to all pensioners. However, they are now being discontinued for everyone except the poorest. This year, only those receiving Pension Credit and some other benefits will be eligible for support. Charities have raised concerns that this could leave approximately two million pensioners who narrowly miss the qualifying threshold struggling to cope this winter.
Compounding the issue, hundreds of thousands of pensioners fail to claim Pension Credit despite being eligible, meaning they risk missing out on winter fuel money to which they are entitled.
Household Support Fund - up to £600
The Household Support Fund is continuing, with the Labour Party government extending it beyond the original September end date earmarked by the previous Tories regime. The Conservative Party introduced the fund, which sees the DWP hand over cash to local councils and authorities. Some councils are giving out as much as £600.
Services which can help with Pension Credit and other Benefits
- UK Government free Pension Credit calculator. Alternatively, call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 731 0469.
- Government's Pension Credit toolkit Pension Credit toolkit: advice and guidance for stakeholders - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Independent Age - https://www.independentage.org/get-advice/money/benefits/pension-credit
- Money Saving Expert has information specifically about Pension Credit - https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/pension-credit/
- Search Newcastle give benefits advice to older people in the west of Newcastle - https://www.searchnewcastle.org.uk/west-end-friends/
- Citizens' Advice Newcastle https://www.citizensadvice-newcastle.org.uk/
- Newcastle City Council's Information NOW site on Pension Credit
- Karbon Homes customers can contact the Money Matters team on 0808 164 0111, email moneymatters@karbonhomes.co.uk or complete an online self-referral
- Newcastle Council Housing Services give housing tenants benefits and debt advice.
- Age UK Gateshead give benefits advice to older people in Gateshead and Newcastle. Ring 0191 477 3559
Sources - Newcastle City Council/Newcastle Council of Elders