Help with Extra Costs This Winter

11.11.2024

 

Winter can be especially costly for many carers due to the need for extra heating and other essentials in colder weather. Unfortunately, there will be no Cost-of-Living winter fuel payment this year, and the rules for Winter Fuel Payment eligibility have changed. While this payment isn’t available for all, there are still other options that may help:

 

Winter Fuel allowance 

 

You may get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958. 

You must also live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and get one of the following: 

• Pension Credit 

• Universal Credit 

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) 

• Income Support 

• Child Tax Credit 

• Working Tax Credit 

 

You’ll also need to have been getting one of these benefits during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024. 

 

If you are entitled to Winter Fuel Allowance, you should receive the payment by 29th January 2025.  You do not need to apply for the allowance, it should be paid automatically if you are entitled to it. 

 

Pension Credit (state pension top-up) claims can be backdated by three months (and in some circumstances for longer).  This means that you will be eligible for the winter fuel payment if you claim pension credit by 22^nd December, and you were eligible for pension credit during the week of 16 to 22 September.  

 

There are estimated to be 880,000 people who are entitled to pension credit but who have not claimed it.  The rules for claiming pension credit are different from those for other means tested benefits.  We encourage anyone on a lowish income and with low to moderate savings to check their entitlement.  

 

You can do this online at Pension Credit: Eligibility - GOV.UK.  Pension Credit entitlement (even a small amount) also results in further entitlements besides winter fuel allowance.   

 

Cold Weather Payments

 

You MAY get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting: 

• Pension Credit 

• Income Support 

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) 

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 

• Universal Credit 

• Support for Mortgage Interest 

 

If you’re eligible to get Cold Weather Payments, you’ll get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025. 

 

After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days. It’s paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.  

For further information visit: Cold Weather Payment: Overview - GOV.UK 

 

Warm Home Discount Scheme

 

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. 

 

If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you. You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible.  

 

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out. 

• You qualify if you either: 

• get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit 

• are on a low income?and have high energy costs 

 

For further information about the Warm Home Discount Scheme go online to Warm Home Discount Scheme: Overview - GOV.UK 

 

For more information about benefits you may be entitled to, or for help and advice, please contact Carers Count at 0300 012 0231, email info@carerscount.org.uk, or visit carerscount.org.uk.