Are you missing out on cash payments? (From This is Hampshire)

Are you missing out on cash payments?

9:18am Wednesday 15th February 2012 in News By Gazette reporter

MORE than one million pensioners who may be entitled to Pension Credit should check if they are missing out on extra cash, Pensions Minister Steve Webb has advised.

Up to £2.93billion of Pension Credit goes unclaimed every year and as many as 1.6 million people could be entitled to this money.

Furthermore, if average temperatures are recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days, then people who receive pension credit are automatically entitled to a cold weather payment.

Pensioners who do not receive pension credit could be missing out on cold weather payments for heating. More than three million such payments have been made so far this winter.

Mr Webb said: “I am very concerned that over a million pensioners could be missing out on Pension Credit cash of up to £137.35 a week. If anyone thinks a family member, a friend or neighbour might be entitled, I’d encourage them to ask them to get in touch and find out.”

People can claim pension credit, as well as housing benefit and council tax benefit in one free phone call on 0800 99 1234 without the need for a signed form.

Pension Credit tops up your income to £137.35 a week for a single person, £209.79 for a couple. Those with savings or a work pension could still be eligible as could those who own their own homes.

Those with severe disability, caring responsibilities and certain housing costs may be entitled to extra amounts. They could also be entitled to housing benefit and council tax benefit.

The average weekly award of pension credit is £57 a week – which is almost £3,000 a year.

Around four million people are potentially eligible for cold weather payments.

There is a range of help available for older people this winter. Most people over 60 will receive winter fuel payments, which will be paid at the rate of £200 for households with someone who has reached women’s State Pension age and is aged under 80, and £300 for households with someone aged 80 or over.

Pensioners can also receive help with heating and insulation costs through the Warm Front scheme, and over 600,000 pensioners on only the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit will also receive a rebate of £120 on their electricity bills this winter through the Warm Home Discount Scheme.