Latest news with #ColdWeatherPayments
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Pensioners urged to make 5 minute DWP call to boost state pension by £80 a week
Pensioners urged to make 5 minute DWP call to boost state pension by £80 a week Around 750,000 people across the UK are not receiving the correct state pension amount they're entitled to (Image: Halfpoint Images via Getty Images ) People across the UK are being encouraged to make a quick "five minute call" to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that could potentially increase their state pension payments by £80 per week. Analysts warn that approximately 750,000 individuals across the country are not receiving the correct state pension amount they're entitled to. This is mainly due to pensioners missing out on thousands of pounds in unclaimed benefits and pension entitlements. Over 13 million people are above the state pension age in the UK, and many could be eligible for additional support they're unaware of through extra benefits, including Pension Credit. Pension experts from Spencer Churchill Claims Advice are urging pensioners to check if they're receiving everything they are entitled to. A spokesperson emphasised Pension Credit as being "worth around £4,300 a year on average", which also "unlocks other benefits like free dental care, help with rent and reduced energy bills". For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here Despite thousands being eligible, uptake remains low with the Government launching a campaign to encourage applications following the means-testing of Winter Fuel Payments. Those receiving their pension are being encouraged to make a quick "five minute call" to the DWP to potentially increase their state pension payments by £80 per week. Article continues below "A five-minute phone call could mean someone getting an extra £80 a week or more," added the spokesperson from Spencer Churchill. Experts point out that many pensioners incorrectly assume that once they start receiving their state pension, they are not entitled to claim any additional benefits. Here is a list of extra benefits that state pensioners may be eligible for: Pension Credit. Attendance Allowance. Council Tax Support. Winter Fuel Payments. Cold Weather Payments. War Widow(er)'s Pension. Free eye tests. Free dental treatments. Free or discounted TV licence. Energy-saving home upgrades, such as insulation and boiler replacement. However, a specialist from Spencer Churchill said: "In many cases, it's not about complex applications or means testing - just checking your eligibility and submitting a simple claim." Dean Butler, Managing Director of Standard Life, previously explained why many individuals are not receiving their full entitlements. He said: "Around 750,000 people are not receiving the correct state pension amount either due to errors in National Insurance records or the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) not making adjustments when there's a change to your circumstances." Article continues below Butler advised those who spent time raising children to verify that they received NI credit for this period. Women whose husbands retired from March 17, 2008 should ensure that their entitlement was increased accordingly. Those over 80 with a low pension should check if they have been assessed for the over-80s rate. Universal Credit recipients are also encouraged to confirm that they have been receiving National Insurance credits.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
DWP Cold Weather Payment update as 1.4million receive £25 payment
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update on its £25 Cold Weather Payment. The government department this week revealed it had paid out a total of £35million in support over the the 2024-25 winter period. This support went to 1.4million households across England and Wales and over £9million of the energy support went to those claiming Pension Credit. This is up from the just under 1.2 million payments which were made between November 2023 and March 2024, after 31 qualifying periods of cold weather. The Cold Weather Payments scheme - which is run by the DWP - provides cash payments of £25 to households when temperatures are recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days, reports The Mirror. If the cold snap lasts longer, you do get more payments. This means you could be eligible to get £50 or even £75. READ MORE: Two foods that could lower cholesterol 'similar to statins', according to cardiologists READ MORE: My wife didn't believe me after I spotted something on the BBC These payments are issued between November and March each year and the extra cash is designed to help cover the additional costs associated with cold weather - like the need to put on your heating. The payments are made automatically if you're eligible and appear in your bank statement within 14 days of the cold snap. To be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment, you need to claim pension credit if you are over the state pension age. Working-age people need to claim qualifying benefits such as Universal Credit and Jobseeker's Allowance. Alongside this, they must also meet further criteria relating to employment, health conditions and caring responsibilities for young children or a disabled child. According to the DWP data, 385,000 households who received cash this winter were claiming the DWP benefit Pension Credit. which is a benefit for people who have reached state pension age and are on a low income. If you're eligible to claim it, your weekly income will be topped up to £227.10 a week, or to £346.60 if you're in a couple. Last year the government announced a major change to another winter support payment - the Winter Fuel Payment. The payment was previously available to all state pensioners. However, last year, you could only receive the up to £300 payment if you claimed certain means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit. Around 10million older Brits lost their entitlement to the Winter Fuel Payment, so the government launched an awareness campaign for Pension Credit to help encourage low-income pensioners to sign up for the benefit. Since the summer of last year, a further 50,000 people signed up for Pension Credit, which was a 64% increase compared to the same period the year before. The hike in signups is attributed to the awareness campaign, although other major public figures such as Martin Lewis urged older Brits to claim. Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: "We supported millions of households this winter through Pension Credit and Cold Weather Payments, alongside extending the Household Support Fund and the Warm Home Discount. 'For pensioners, this will have come on top of the State Pension which is set to increase by up to £1,900 over this parliament for millions, thanks to our commitment to the Triple Lock. ' Last year, around 800,000 older brits were believed to be eligible for the extra more, meaning even after the spike in applications hundreds of thousands of Brits could still be eligible to claim this year. According to DWP guidelines, you'll be eligible for Pension Credit if: You and your partner have both reached State Pension age (66 years old or above) One of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age If you have less than £10,000 in savings, your Pension Credit will not be impacted. However, if your savings go over this threshold, support will be deducted. Pension Credit can also give you money off essential bills and housing costs such as Council Tax. You are also entitled to receive a free TV licence if you're over 75, the Warm Home Discount worth £150 each year, Cold Weather Payments, Housing Benefit, free dental treatment and vouchers for glasses or contact lenses. You might also get additional payments if you're a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person. The DWP says those who claim Pension Credit are on average £3,500 a year better off - in some instances it could even be worth over £4,000.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Households urged to check bank accounts for special DWP payments arriving in March
Households have been urged to check their bank accounts for special payments arriving in March. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has a special scheme that hands out payments during periods of cold weather. Although spring is on the horizon, we're still in the winter season with more chilly weather forecasted. READ MORE: All the parts of England set for snow and ice with temperature plummeting to -2C Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join According to weather maps from WX Charts, freezing temperatures are set to continue gripping the country this week. It comes after the mercury plummeted today on Thursday (March 12), with the Met Office issuing a six-hour ice warning. Parts of the Midlands, Wales and areas of Scotland were forecasted to experience temperatures of -1C today. The temperature is set to remain at freezing temperatures throughout the next week, according to The mercury is set to dip to -1C on each day until Wednesday (March 19) next week. The coldest day is set to be on Sunday (March 16), with WX Charts forecasting widespread temperatures of 0C, -1C and -2C and even pockets of -3C in the south west of England. During periods of prolonged cold weather, the DWP issues special £25 payments to help households pay energy bills. The scheme is known as Cold Weather Payments, which runs from November 1 to March 31. The money is issued for every period of cold weather covering seven consecutive days, when the average temperature has been recorded as, or forecasted to be, 0C or below. Find out more here. With cold weather predicted over the next week, households could see £25 payments arriving into their accounts. Eligible households are those in receipt of benefits.
