Martin Lewis tip helps state pensioners keep £300 Winter Fuel Payment which had been axed

One Money Saving Expert reader has written into the consumer champion thanking him for his handy and needed advice.

A Martin Lewis tip is helping state pensioners KEEP the £300 Winter Fuel Payment which had been axed. One Money Saving Expert reader has written into the consumer champion thanking him for his handy and needed advice.

Lucinda emailed Martin's team to tell them her mum had initially lost her entitlement to the £300 Winter Fuel Payment this year after the government's rule change. Her email said: "Thanks so much for Martin's Pension Credit email.

"My mum was just over the threshold, so we didn't apply, but worried about the Winter Fuel Payment, no free TV licence, cheaper broadband etc." Lucinda told BBC and ITV star Mr Lewis: "Then I saw Martin's email saying: 'If you're only just over, try it anyway.'

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"A (long) call to the DWP later and mum told me she'll get Pension Credit. My dad died earlier this year, so not only has Mum been going through it, but money is much tighter. I can't thank you enough. She's both relieved and thrilled."

On its website, MSE says: "It takes minutes to check if you qualify, so don't stall, just call. The exact rules of who can get Pension Credit are complex, so we have a simple rule of thumb for those of state pension age (currently 66 or older): if you're single with total weekly income under roughly £218 or… if you're a couple, both of pension age, with weekly income under roughly £332...

"Then get online or call the Pension Credit helpline to see if you're due. If your income is slightly higher, you may still get pension credit, it depends on circumstances (there’s a higher threshold if you claim certain disability benefits or have caring responsibilities, so if this is you it’s worth checking)."

Pension Credit is worth £75 a week on average and opens up a great deal of other benefits - including council tax and BBC TV licence fee discounts.