Pensioners and jobseekers urged to claim cold weather cash

By JO THORNHILL, MAIL ON SUNDAY ASSISTANT PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR
Updated: 17:59 EDT, 10 January 2009

Many pensioners on low incomes and those on jobseeker benefits will be entitled to the £25 cold weather payment after temperatures dipped below freezing for seven days last week in most parts of the country.

But only those who get Pension Credit receive the payment automatically, meaning many eligible households will miss out.

The tax-free cold weather payment is made each time the average temperature at the closest weather station is 0C (32F) or below for seven consecutive days.

Pensioners like Bob and Margaret Hendley are being urged to claim 'cold weather cash'

Payments were triggered in 48 out of 76 areas of the country last week. Londoners will get their first payments since the scheme began ten years ago.

Mervyn Kohler of Help the Aged says about 40 per cent of the 1.8 million eligible pensioners are not claiming Pension Credit. This means they will also miss out on the cold weather payments.

'We urge all pensioners on low incomes to find out what extra benefits they might be entitled to,' he says. 'Too many vulnerable older people are missing out. You can only get the cold weather payment if you first make a successful claim for Pension Credit.'

Pension Credit guarantees single people aged 60 or over an income of at least £124.05 a week and couples £189.35 a week.

For more information and to apply for Pension Credit, call the Department for Work and Pensions helpline free on 0800 991234, or call Help the Aged's SeniorLine free on 0808 800 6565.

The cold weather payment, which is a means-tested-benefit, is different from winter fuel payments, which are available to all pensioners regardless of their means.
All households with someone aged 60 or over are entitled to the annual payment of £250. Pensioner couples get £150 each.

Those aged 80 or over receive £400, or £200 each for a pensioner couple in the same household. The payment is a tax-free, oneoff lump sum.

Some over-60s will not be eligible, including those who have been in hospital for more than 52 weeks. Those in residential care homes receive £125 if they do not get Pension Credit.

If you had the payment last year, you should already have been paid this year. It is usually necessary to make a claim in the first year you are eligible to receive the payment.

If you have not received any money contact the winter fuel payment helpline on 08457 151515 or visit the DWP website at dwp.gov.uk to find out more and to download a claim form.