Martin Lewis, the founder of Money Saving Expert, is urging pensioners to check if they can still claim the £300 Winter Fuel Payment. The usual automatic payment has now become means-tested by the new Labour government, leading to millions potentially missing out on this benefit. However, Lewis has highlighted a loophole that could allow individuals with annual pension incomes exceeding the typical Pension Credit threshold to still qualify.
Lewis shared this information on X, advising pensioners not to assume they are ineligible for winter fuel help. He pointed out that various circumstances may still make them eligible for Pension Credit, even if they are over the threshold. Lewis referred to his Money Saving Expert resource, which offers guidance on how those with higher income, especially due to disability or illness, can qualify for Pension Credit.
One individual shared their success story with Lewis, stating that their father was able to claim an additional £8,000 a year from the Department for Work and Pensions by using this loophole. They expressed gratitude for the financial support that made a significant impact on their father’s life. The article also emphasises that Pension Credit can be accessed by those with savings, with specific thresholds determining eligibility.
The importance of checking for potential entitlements and utilising available support is underlined in Lewis’s advice. Pensioners are encouraged to explore all avenues to ensure they receive the assistance they may be entitled to during the winter months. Lewis’s efforts to raise awareness of this issue aim to help pensioners navigate the changing landscape of welfare support.