DWP benefits worth up to £9,542 not being claimed by nearly 2m amid Winter Fuel Payment cuts

People facing up to a difficult winter on a financial front could be missing out on benefits that could supplement their income by thousands of pounds. Two benefits in particular that offer support are not claimed by close to two million people in the UK who could be eligible.

It comes as more than 10 million people above the State Pension age across Great Britain will no longer qualify for Winter Fuel Payments due to changes in eligibility rules by the Labour Government. Starting this winter, the annual heating bill assistance of up to £300 will only be available to those over 66 who are receiving an income-related benefit such as Pension Credit.

Despite the loss of this additional financial aid for some, many might not realise they could qualify for two separate benefits, collectively worth up to £9,542 each year. Pension Credit assists those over State Pension age on a low income by increasing their annual income by approximately £3,900 on average, while Attendance Allowance can offer extra financial support of up to £434 each month - equating to around £5,642 each year - for those with a long-term health condition or disability, the Daily Record reports.

There are nearly 12.7 million people over State Pension age and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that 880,000 are eligible for Pension Credit but are not claiming the income-related benefit. Similarly, it is believed that over one million pensioners could be eligible for Attendance Allowance, which is not affected by income or savings, is tax-free and is not counted as income when claiming Pension Credit.

Who is eligible for Pension Credit?

Pension Credit comes in two forms: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit, you must be of State Pension age (currently 66). Your weekly income should be less than the minimum amount the UK Government deems necessary for living.

This minimum is set at £218.15 for single individuals and £332.95 for couples. These amounts may be higher if you're disabled, a carer, or have certain housing costs.

Savings Credit is only available under specific conditions:

• you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have a partner who reached State Pension age before this date and was already receiving it
• you have qualifying income of at least £189.80 a week for a single person and £301.22 a week for a couple

How much could you potentially receive?

Guarantee Credit supplements your weekly income to a certain level. You might be eligible for more if you're disabled, a carer, or have certain housing costs.

Savings Credit can provide up to a certain amount. The exact amount you'll receive depends on your income and savings. Any income from savings and capital over £10,000 is taken into account.

Checking eligibility

To utilise the calculator on GOV. UK, you'll need details of:

• earnings, benefits and pensions
• savings and investments

You'll require the same information for your partner if you have one. You will be presented with a series of questions with multiple-choice answer options.

This includes:

• Your date of birth
• Your residential status
• Where in the UK you live
• Whether you are registered blind
• Which benefits you currently receive
• How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
• Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
• How much you get each week from pensions - State Pension, private and work pensions
• Any employment earnings
• Any savings, investments or bonds you have

Once you've answered these questions, a summary screen displays your responses, allowing you to go back and alter any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then shows how much benefit you could receive each week.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance currently assists more than 1.6 million older people across Great Britain with the extra daily living costs associated with having a physical or mental health condition, disability or long-term illness. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.

People over the State Pension age who are claiming Attendance Allowance can receive either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) each week. This benefit is typically paid every four weeks, which equates to either £290.60 or £434.20 per payment period - a total of around £5,644 over the 2024/25 financial year.

Who is eligible for Attendance Allowance?

You should consider applying for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and require assistance or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night - even if you're not currently receiving that help. This could include:

- Assistance with personal care, such as getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and using the toilet.

- Help to stay safe.

You should also apply if you struggle with personal tasks, for example, if they take you a long time, cause you pain, or if you need physical support, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn't just for people with a physical disability or illness. You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:

- A mental health condition.

- Learning difficulties.

- A sensory condition - if you are deaf or visually impaired.

Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested so it doesn't matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings - there's no limit. It is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won't have money taken away from any other benefits you're already claiming.

You can also apply for it if you're still employed and earning. To make a claim, you'll need to fill out an extensive application form.

Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.