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State pensioners could be eligible for up to £9,258 in freebies from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in February. The DWP will pay state pensioners £3,900 Pension Credit, if they’re eligible, as well as a £300 Winter Fuel Payment if born before 1944.
Other perks include Housing Benefit – £1,000, a Council Tax discount – up to £2,200, Warm Home Diuscount worth £150, free NHS prescriptions worth £9.90, free eye care worth up to £215 and free NHS dental treatment worth up to £1,000.
Royal Mail redirection discount can be found for £24, while state pensioners can get a Cold Weather Payment – worth £25 for every seven days of low temperatures from the DWP during the winter months – as well as Attendance Allowance – worth £434.
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The Labour Party government will work with Local Authorities to bring together the administration of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit as soon as operationally possible. People who have reached State Pension age before September 23, 2024 and are in receipt of Pension Credit, Income Support, Income based JSA, Income related ESA and Universal Credit, will be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment – subject to eligibility conditions.
Anyone who is entitled to Pension Credit for at least one day of the Winter Fuel Payment qualifying week will have automatic entitlement to Winter Fuel Payment. People do not have to do anything extra to backdate their claim. If they make their application online, they will automatically be asked if they would like to backdate it. If they make their application over the phone the advisor will talk them through this.
Around 1.3 million households in England and Wales will continue to receive Winter Fuel Payments due to some other pensioner households being eligible and expected extra Pension Credit take up due to this reform.
