Pensioners missing out on energy discount still have time to claim | Personal Finance | Finance
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.
READ MORE: State pension: 500,000 Britons will not get increase in April due to frozen pensions
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.
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.
