Pensioners could be missing out on £140 energy discount - but there’s still time to claim
PENSIONERS who could be entitled to a discount on their electricity bill may be missing out.
Martin Lewis provides advice on the Warm Home Discount
Pensioners who are in need of help with their heating bills could get support by claiming the Warm Home Discount. Recipients of Pension Credit are automatically entitled to the discount.
The Warm Home Discount provides a £140 discount on electricity bills once a year.
It is paid between October and March each year, meaning it may not be too late for pensioners to claim for the winter of 2021/22.
Recipients of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit are automatically entitled to receive the Warm Home Discount.
However, there are still a large number of Britons who are eligible for Pension Credit but have not claimed.
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Some 850,000 families who are entitled to some level of support from Pension Credit have not claimed, according to the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit is a benefit paid to people who are over state pension age and are on a lower income. State pension age is currently 66.
The core element of Pension Credit, known as Guarantee Credit, provides a weekly income top up, taking claimants’ income to at least £177.10 a week if they are single, or £270.30 a week if they have a partner.
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Savings Credit is the other element of Pension Credit and is paid to people who have more income but still need require support.
This could pay up to £14.04 extra a week to single pensioners £15.71 to couples.
To get Savings Credit, someone must have reached state pension age before April 6, 2016.
However, only recipients of Guarantee Credit are automatically eligible for the Warm Home Discount.
People who claim Pension Credit may also be entitled to other benefits, such as:
- Housing Benefit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
- Council Tax Reduction
- A free TV licence if they are over 75
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
Eligibility
Britons will have their income assessed when they apply for Pension Credit to see if they are eligible, and if so, how much support they can get.
Couples must apply for Pension Credit together.
The following forms of income are assessed as part of the calculation:
- State Pension
- Other pensions
- Earnings from employment and self-employment
- Most social security benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance
How to apply
Applications for Pension Credit can be made online via the Government website.
Alternatively, people can apply by phone on 0800 99 1234 or by post.