Universal Credit loophole which means thousands can get £300 winter fuel payment – but you’ll need to be quick --[Reported by Umva mag]

THOUSANDS of households could be eligible for a £300 winter fuel payment this year due to a little-known Universal Credit loophole. However, time is of the essence, as certain conditions must be met within a specific time frame to qualify. GettyHere’s everything you need to know[/caption] In the past the winter fuel payment, worth up to £300, was available to everyone aged 66 and above. However, recent changes by Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean that around 10million pensioners will no longer receive the benefit. Now, the payment is limited to retirees on pension credit or those receiving other means-tested benefits including Universal Credit. Over 800,000 households are thought to be missing out on pension credit, which unlocks their eligibility for this year’s winter fuel payment. However, not everyone over the state pension age is eligible. If you’re in a mixed age couple, where one of you is over state pension age (66), and the other is under it, you can’t claim pension credit. Instead, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit. Thousands of couples could be missing out on this benefit, which is worth up to £618 a month with the standard allowance. Plus, a successful claim will make you eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment. To qualify for this year’s winter fuel payment, you must have an active claim for Universal Credit (or other means-tested benefits) during the “qualifying week”, which runs from September 16 to 22 (this week). You might assume that if you do not apply before the end of the week, you will not qualify for this year’s payment. However, thanks to a little-known loophole, this is not the case. This is because new claims for Universal Credit can be backdated by one month. This means that the absolute deadline to claim the benefit and qualify for this year’s winter fuel payment is October 18. Of course, if you fail to apply for the benefit before this date, you won’t qualify for this year’s cash. How much is the winter fuel payment and how is it paid? PAYMENTS last year were worth between £300 and £600, depending on your specific circumstances. This is because the amount included a “Pensioner Cost of Living Payment” – between £150 and £300. This year, it will be worth £200 for eligible households or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80. That means you could receive up to £300 in free cash depending on your circumstances. Most payments are made automatically in November or December. You’ll get a letter telling you: How much you’ll get Which bank account it will be paid into If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 29, 2025, you must contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160. CHECK IF YOU QUALIFY Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs. To claim, you typically need to: Live in the UK Be aged 18 or over Be under State Pension age (unless you’re part of a mixed-aged couple) Have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments How much money you’ll get depends on your personal circumstances, but the monthly standard award is £393.45 for a single person over 25 and £617.60 for a couple who are both over that age. If you have a disability or health condition, or if your child does, there are extra top ups you can get in your Universal Credit award. If you rent, you can also get help towards those costs and any service fees you might pay. If you have over £6,000 in money, savings and investments, your payment will be reduced by £4.35 for every £250 you have between £6,000 and £16,000. Another £4.35 is taken off for any remaining amount that is not a complete £250. However, if you’re moving over from tax credits as part of the managed migration process, the savings limits will not apply for the first twelve months. You can apply for Universal Credit online by visiting gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data. You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.

Sep 19, 2024 - 18:24

Universal Credit loophole which means thousands can get £300 winter fuel payment – but you’ll need to be quick --[Reported by Umva mag]

THOUSANDS of households could be eligible for a £300 winter fuel payment this year due to a little-known Universal Credit loophole.

However, time is of the essence, as certain conditions must be met within a specific time frame to qualify.

a woman 's hands are reaching out to touch a radiator

Here’s everything you need to know[/caption]

In the past the winter fuel payment, worth up to £300, was available to everyone aged 66 and above.

However, recent changes by Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean that around 10million pensioners will no longer receive the benefit.

Now, the payment is limited to retirees on pension credit or those receiving other means-tested benefits including Universal Credit.

Over 800,000 households are thought to be missing out on pension credit, which unlocks their eligibility for this year’s winter fuel payment.

However, not everyone over the state pension age is eligible.

If you’re in a mixed age couple, where one of you is over state pension age (66), and the other is under it, you can’t claim pension credit.

Instead, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit.

Thousands of couples could be missing out on this benefit, which is worth up to £618 a month with the standard allowance.

Plus, a successful claim will make you eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment.

To qualify for this year’s winter fuel payment, you must have an active claim for Universal Credit (or other means-tested benefits) during the “qualifying week”, which runs from September 16 to 22 (this week).

You might assume that if you do not apply before the end of the week, you will not qualify for this year’s payment.

However, thanks to a little-known loophole, this is not the case.

This is because new claims for Universal Credit can be backdated by one month.

This means that the absolute deadline to claim the benefit and qualify for this year’s winter fuel payment is October 18.

Of course, if you fail to apply for the benefit before this date, you won’t qualify for this year’s cash.

How much is the winter fuel payment and how is it paid?

PAYMENTS last year were worth between £300 and £600, depending on your specific circumstances.

This is because the amount included a “Pensioner Cost of Living Payment” – between £150 and £300.

This year, it will be worth £200 for eligible households or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.

That means you could receive up to £300 in free cash depending on your circumstances.

Most payments are made automatically in November or December.

You’ll get a letter telling you:

How much you’ll get
Which bank account it will be paid into

If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 29, 2025, you must contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

CHECK IF YOU QUALIFY

Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs.

To claim, you typically need to:

Live in the UK
Be aged 18 or over
Be under State Pension age (unless you’re part of a mixed-aged couple)
Have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments

How much money you’ll get depends on your personal circumstances, but the monthly standard award is £393.45 for a single person over 25 and £617.60 for a couple who are both over that age.

If you have a disability or health condition, or if your child does, there are extra top ups you can get in your Universal Credit award.

If you rent, you can also get help towards those costs and any service fees you might pay.

If you have over £6,000 in money, savings and investments, your payment will be reduced by £4.35 for every £250 you have between £6,000 and £16,000. Another £4.35 is taken off for any remaining amount that is not a complete £250.

However, if you’re moving over from tax credits as part of the managed migration process, the savings limits will not apply for the first twelve months.

You can apply for Universal Credit online by visiting gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim.

Are you missing out on benefits?

YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to

Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.

Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.

MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.

You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.

Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.