Money
Tax and benefits
Hurry to claim outstanding winter fuel benefits
People over the age of 60 have just a couple of weeks left to claim their Winter Fuel Payment for the current tax year - or lose it, writes Holly Thomas
The payment - made annually to help with heating costs if the household includes someone aged 60 or over - can be anything up to £300 for this financial year which ends soon.
You qualify simply by your age and has nothing to do with your income. But you need to claim it if you are not already receiving it - by March 30.
The winter fuel allowance is usually paid with the state pension or other benefits, but men aged 60-65 may not realise they are eligible for it and may miss out unless they make a claim.
The award is made to a household, not to each person. If you are aged 60-79, your household is entitled to receive a one-off payment of £200, and if you are aged 80 or over your household will receive £300.
If one person is in the 60-79 year range and the other person is over 80, the maximum the household can receive is £300.
You can even claim if you live abroad - but only in countries which are members of the European Union.
However, unclaimed cash remains every year where people fail to claim, and the money goes straight back into Government coffers.
It is important to claim money that is rightfully yours - and encourage others to do the same.
The flat-rate winter fuel payment hasn't increased for six years, and it now buys around half the gas and electricity it used to thanks to massive increases in energy prices.
However, in the Budget, the Chancellor announced that pensioners over 60 will receive an extra £50 a year, a total of £250, while those over 80 will receive an extra £100 a year, giving them a total of £400 a year.
But, these increases are payable for one year only.
Aside from switching off appliances when you're not using them and unplugging mobile phone chargers, there are still other measures you can take to help bring down the cost of energy.
Simply placing a ‘jacket’ around your boiler could reduce bills by £20 a year.
The Government and local authorities provide grants for households to improve their heating and energy efficiency.
The Energy Saving Trust (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk) has a comprehensive list of available funding and discounts, or contact your supplier.
For more information on the Winter Fuel Payment, visit www.direct.gov.uk or call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 08459 151 515.
* Holly Thomas is the deputy personal finance editor of the Daily Express and Sunday Express. Holly's opinions are her own and for general information only. Always seek independent financial advice.
