{"id":67465,"date":"2023-10-07T08:19:01","date_gmt":"2023-10-07T08:19:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordcelnews.com\/?p=67465"},"modified":"2023-10-07T08:19:01","modified_gmt":"2023-10-07T08:19:01","slug":"one-week-warning-for-thousands-to-claim-150-energy-bill-help-this-winter-dont-miss-out-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordcelnews.com\/lifestyle\/one-week-warning-for-thousands-to-claim-150-energy-bill-help-this-winter-dont-miss-out-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"One week warning for thousands to claim \u00a3150 energy bill help this winter – don't miss out | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

THOUSANDS of energy customers could miss out on \u00a3150 in energy bill help this winter if they don't act soon.<\/p>\n

The help is provided directly by energy suppliers through the Warm Home Discount.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

To qualify, you need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of\u00a0Pension Credit\u00a0or a different qualifying means-tested benefit like Universal Credit.<\/p>\n

If you weren't claiming any of these\u00a0benefits\u00a0on August 13, 2023, you won't be eligible for the payment.<\/p>\n

Where someone claims a qualifying benefit, the government will assess their energy costs based on the type, age and size of property.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You may not be considered eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you live in a more energy-efficient property for instance, even if you receive a qualifying benefit.<\/p>\n

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But this rule doesn't apply to recipients of the guarantee credit portion of Pension Credit.<\/p>\n

Around\u00a0850,000 pensioners are eligible\u00a0for Pension Credit but not claiming it.<\/p>\n

As well as missing out on potentially hundreds or even thousands of pounds a year from the benefit itself, they won't get the \u00a3150 Warm Home Discount payment.<\/p>\n

However even if you weren't receiving Pension Credit on the qualifying date on August 13, there's a trick you can follow to later ensure that you get the extra cash.<\/p>\n

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This is because your eligibility for certain benefits can be backdated.<\/p>\n

For example, successful Pension Credit claims can be backdated by three months.<\/p>\n

So if you make a claim now you could be in the qualifying period for the Warm Home Discount – but you'll need to do so by Friday, October 13.<\/p>\n

The government will then issue a letter to your household to tell you if you later qualify for the scheme.<\/p>\n

Once your eligibility is confirmed, energy providers will apply the \u00a3150 discount directly to your bill between now and the end of March 2024.<\/p>\n

Caroline Abrahams CBE, charity director at Age UK, said:\u00a0"Sadly we know energy prices will stay high this winter so it's never been more important to check whether you can claim some extra help, so you have enough money to keep warm when it gets really cold.<\/p>\n

"The Government has put extra money aside for older people who are struggling to make ends meet, enough to make a real difference, but to get it you have to claim Pension Credit \u2013 and well over half a million pensioners are missing out just because they haven't claimed it.<\/p>\n

"Every penny counts so we urge any older person who is feeling the pinch to contact Age UK for advice and a free benefits check.\u00a0<\/p>\n

"A successful claim for Pension Credit would top up your weekly income, giving you the confidence to keep the heating on during the colder months ahead."<\/p>\n

Who is eligible for Pension Credit?<\/h2>\n

It is available for people who are over the state pension age, and who live in\u00a0England,\u00a0Scotland\u00a0or\u00a0Wales.<\/p>\n

This is currently rising to 66 for both men and women.<\/p>\n

It used to be the case that couples, where one person was over state pension age, could claim, but new rules now mean that both people in a couple must be over retirement age to apply.<\/p>\n

This means if you're single and move in with a partner who is younger than the state pension age, you will stop being eligible.<\/p>\n

But if you're already receiving\u00a0Pension Credit\u00a0under the old system it won't stop unless your circumstances change.<\/p>\n

To qualify, you'll need to have a weekly income of less than \u00a3201.05 for single people or \u00a3306.85 for couples.<\/p>\n

Your income is worked out taking into account various elements including:<\/p>\n