Paying For Heat

Being warm is a vital part of keeping yourself well during the winter months, so it is important that you can afford to heat your home properly when the weather is cold. Unfortunately, older people are the group in society most likely not to be claiming the government benefits to which they are entitled. Often, this is through not knowing what is available or because these benefits are sometimes seen as ‘charity’. They are, in fact, a legal right to which you will probably have contributed at some point during your life. They are there as a safeguard, to ensure you have enough money to pay for essentials such as heating.

Getting advice

We recommend that you have a benefit check by an independent advice organisation once a year. A regular check will make sure you are not missing out, particularly as any change in benefit rules or in your circumstances may effect your entitlement. If you are having trouble paying your bills, it is important to get help as soon as possible to avoid serious problems.

Age Concern Hackney is one place you can go for a benefit check. Fact Sheet 6 has a section listing the addresses and phone numbers of a number of organisations which can offer you help and advice.

Links:

• Age Concern Pensions
• Age Concern Information
• Benefits Details
• Help The Aged

Budget schemes

All gas and electricity companies have schemes to help people pay for their fuel more conveniently. These are:

• Weekly, fortnightly or monthly budget payment schemes, using a payment card from your energy supplier and making payments at the Post Office or Pay Point facilities in some shops and supermarkets at no additional cost.
• £5 Savings stamps from Post Office.
• Flexible payment schemes.
• Key or card pre-payment meters.

You can ask for details and information about what is available from your gas and electricity supplier or contact Coldline at Age Concern Hackney. Cost per unit of fuel is slightly higher for pre payment methods. If you use solid fuel, some approved coal merchants provide budget schemes and supply small quantities.

Cold Weather Payments

This is extra money which is paid to certain people when the weather is very cold. Payments are made when the temperature for seven consecutive days is (or is forecasted to be) 0 C or below. You will qualify for a payment if you receive Pension Credit, Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance which includes a pensioner or disability premium. A cold weather payment of £8.50 for each week of very cold weather.

You do not need to claim a cold weather payment. It is automatically paid to people who qualify by the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP).

You do not need to claim a Cold Weather Payment. It is automatically paid to people who qualify by the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP).

Link:

• Concessions

Winter Fuel Payments

This winter the Government will be making payments to people aged 60 and over to help with the cost of keeping warm in winter. You should qualify for one or both of the following payments if you were aged 60 or over on or before the 26th September 2004 and normally reside in the United Kingdom.

• A Winter Fuel Payment of up to £200.
• The 80+ Annual Payment of up to £100.

You should get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically by the end of 2004 if you received a State Pension or other social security benefit (excluding Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, or Child Benefit) during the week of 20th-26th September 2004. You should also be paid automatically if you have received a payment in a previous year and your circumstances have not changed. If you don’t fall into these categories and you think you are eligible then you should make a claim. You can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline - Tel: 08459 151515 or contact Age Concern Hackney Coldline - Tel: 020 7241 2299.

Link:

• Benefits in Retirement

Direct Payments From Benefit

If you have fuel arrears and are receiving Pension Credit, Incapacity Benefit, Retirement Pension, Severe Disablement Allowance or contribution based Job Seeker’s Allowance, you can have money deducted from your benefit each week to pay for your current fuel use and a small amount for the debt. This is called a Third Party Deduction. If you are considering this, contact the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) and an independent advice agency and ask about Direct Payments From Benefit.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit is a new entitlement for people aged 60 and over and replaces the Minimum Income Guarantee. It is a new means-tested benefit which started on the 6th October 2003. It guarantees everyone aged 60 and over an income of at least:

• £124.05 a week if you are single or £189.35 a week if you have a partner.

These amounts may be more if you have caring responsibilities, are severely disabled or have certain housing costs. For the first time, people aged 65 and over who have made modest arrangements for their retirement may also be rewarded. In the past, those who have managed to save a little were no better off than those who had not saved at all. Pension Credit will now change this by giving new money to those who have saved. This will be up to:

• £19.71 a week for a single person or £26.13 a week for a couple.

To claim Pension Credit you must be aged over 60. If you have a partner, they can be younger but only one member of a couple can claim. You must be present in Great Britain, habitually resident and not subject to immigration control. For more information contact The Pension Service. You can request a leaflet called ‘Pension Credit - pick it up. It’s yours’ (PC1L) from the Pension Service and apply for the benefit using their Pension Credit Application Line - Tel: 0800 99 1234. You can also view and download all their leaflets at their website: thepensionservice.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can get independent advice and assistance from Age Concern Hackney or the Citizens Advice Bureau (see Fact Sheet 6 for addresses).

Social Fund

To apply for a payment from the Social Fund (except a Crisis Loan), you must be in receipt of Pension Credit or Income Support (if under 60 years). Payments are meant to cover expenses additional to the cost of daily living. The Social Fund is cash limited and all payments are discretionary, so you will not get a payment automatically. The type of payments available from the Social Fund are grants (called Community Care Grants) and interest free loans (called Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans). Grants cannot be paid out for fuel bills but you may be able to get help for items such as:

• Warm clothing.
• Bedding.
• Heaters.
• Cookers, fridges, washing machines and microwaves.
• Installation or re-siting of a meter.
• Reconnection charges if your fuel supply has been cut off.

This type of grant is to enable a person to establish or maintain themselves in the community. The rules about how to claim are complicated and the repayment levels for loans can be difficult to meet, so it is useful to get help from an advice centre before making a claim.

Payments To Landlords

Some tenants pay their Landlords for their electricity or gas. There is a maximum price that Landlords can charge to tenants. To check that you are not being overcharged you should contact either Energywatch - Freephone: 08459 060708 or Age Concern Hackney Coldline. If you are threatened with disconnection or are disconnected, Age Concern Hackney Coldline can also help negotiate with your supplier, safeguard the supply or assist in getting it restored. They also offer energy advice to help you save money in your home.