DWP loophole that means thousands on Attendance Allowance or PIP could get £300 Winter Fuel Payment
THOUSANDS on Attendance Allowance and PIP could qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment through a DWP loophole.
The up to £300 payment was previously available to everyone aged 66, the current state pension age, and above.
But the Government has now made the payment means-tested which means you only qualify if you are on certain benefits.
This includes Income Support, Tax Credits, Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
You usually only qualify for Pension Credit if your weekly income is less than £218.15 if you are single and £332.95 if you are in a couple.
However, you can still claim Pension Credit, and therefore the Winter Fuel Payment, even if you are over the weekly income threshold.
If you receive Attendance Allowance (AA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the weekly income thresholds rise.
If you are someone on AA or the middle or highest rate care component of PIP, the weekly threshold goes up by £81.50 to £299.65 if you are single or £414.45 if you are in a couple.
And the DWP has confirmed to The Sun if you are claiming either of the two benefits and your state pension payment by itself is over the weekly income limits, you could also qualify for Pension Credit.
The DWP said whether you would qualify for Pension Credit in this circumstance depends on a range of other factors.
This includes whether you have a carer who receives a carer’s benefit or if someone else lives with you and their specific circumstances.
If you are on either AA or PIP and over the weekly thresholds for Pension Credit, it’s worth checking if you might qualify.
What are PIP and AA?
Consumer reporter Sam Walker tells you everything you need to know about the two benefits.
PIP – the benefit is designed to cover the extra living costs associated with having a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
You get help if you have difficulty carrying out everyday tasks or getting around.
There are two parts to the benefit – the daily living part or mobility part and each one comes at two rates.
The lower weekly rate for the daily living part is £72.65 while the higher weekly rate is £108.55.
The lower weekly rate for the mobility part is £28.70 and the higher weekly rate is £75.75.
AA – Attendance Allowance is for those who have a disability which is severe enough that they need someone to look after you.
It is paid at two weekly rates – a lower rate of £72.65 a week and a higher rate of £108.55 a week.
You get the lower rate if you need frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night.
The higher rate is paid to those who need help or supervision throughout both day and night, or a medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life.
There are a number of free-to-use calculators you can use which will help decipher whether you could be eligible for Pension Credit:
What is Pension Credit and who is eligible?
Pension Credit is a Government benefit designed to top up your weekly income if you are a state pensioner with low earnings.
The current state pension age is 66.
There are two parts to the benefit – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner.
Savings Credit is extra money you get if you have some savings or your income is above the basic full state pension amount – £169.50.
Savings Credit is only available to people who reached state pension age before April 6, 2016.
Like with Attendance Allowance and PIP, you can may also qualify for extra cash, even if your weekly income is more than the £218.15 or £332.95 weekly Pension Credit thresholds.
For example, you can get extra help covering your ground rent if you live in a leasehold property or if you have caring responsibilities for a child.
The rules behind who qualifies for Pension Credit can be complicated, so the best thing to do is just check.
You can do this by calling the Pension Service helpline on 0800 99 1234 from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday or by using free online calculators.
Those in Northern Ireland have to call the Pension Centre on 0808 100 6165 from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
It might be worth a visit to your local Citizens Advice branch too – its staff should be able to offer you help for free.
Pension Credit is known as a “gateway” benefit which means it opens up a host of perks, like the winter fuel payment and a free TV licence if you are 75 or older.
It also unlocks discounts on your council tax and the Warm Home Discount, if you are on the Guarantee Credit part of the benefit.
The Sun's Winter Fuel S.O.S Campaign
THE Sun's Winter Fuel SOS Campaign is here to support households during these challenging times.
Due to government cutbacks, ten million pensioners are set to lose the £300 Winter Fuel Payment.
Since opening our phone lines to thousands of pensioners in October, we remain dedicated to providing tips and advice on how to stretch your finances further.
That’s why we have partnered with the poverty charity Turn2Us to launch a free benefits checker, helping you ensure that you are claiming all the benefits to which you are entitled.
Don’t miss our latest Sun Money coverage, which includes essential information on key deadlines, applying for support, and everything you need to know about Pension Credit.
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