• Support Wokingham Today
  • Get the print edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Wokingham.Today
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • All
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
    • Riseley
    • Shinfield
    • Sindlesham
    • Sonning
    • Spencers Wood
    • Swallowfield
    • Three Mile Cross
    • Twyford
    • Wargrave
    • Winnersh
    • Wokingham
    • Wokingham Without
    • Woodley
    • Woosehill
    • Yateley
    Police

    Arrest made after child sexually assaulted in Finchampstead

    Man robbed and assaulted by group of teenagers in Bracknell

    Cllr Lawley joined the council to celebrate the opening of the History Wall and Coronation orchard garden.

    Tributes paid to former Woodley mayor and borough leader

    Party in the Park on Saturday.

A balcony view.

    Get ready for Party in the Park

    Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay.

    World-class polo plans for borough

    The scene of the fly-tipping incident.

    Help identify fly-tippers

    CEO and founder Sally Russell says The Cowshed is a house of miracles. Picture: Emma Merchant

    The Cowshed thanks Wokingham United Charities

    Marvellous is a tribute act festival. Pic: WBC.

    A Marvellous tribute at Dinton

    Police

    Woman arrested after two cats shot with air rifle in Wokingham as police investigate

  • SPORT
    • All
    • Binfield FC
    • Reading FC
    Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay.

    World-class polo plans for borough

    Reading FC

    Reading FC legend announces international retirement

    Wokingham Town Football Club?s under-8 Leopards.

    New kit for Leopards

    Caversham AFC U18 Rovers

    Friendship and football – a winning combination as Caversham AFC U18 Rovers celebrate success

    Reading FC fans

    Reading FC chairman Couhig to invite fans to watch game in owner’s box

    Wargrave Sprint Triathlon

    Entries still open for Wargrave Sprint Triathlon 2025

    Joel Pereira

    Reading FC goalkeeper Joel Pereira ‘weighing up options’ ahead of summer transfer window

    Reading Football Club, Joe Jacobson

    ‘This club has tremendous potential’: Reading FC CEO speaks on transfer targets ahead of summer window

    Reading FC

    Reading FC to enhance matchday experience for fans

  • READING FC
  • COMMUNITY
    Cllr Lawley joined the council to celebrate the opening of the History Wall and Coronation orchard garden.

    Tributes paid to former Woodley mayor and borough leader

    Party in the Park on Saturday.

A balcony view.

    Get ready for Party in the Park

    Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay.

    World-class polo plans for borough

    The scene of the fly-tipping incident.

    Help identify fly-tippers

    CEO and founder Sally Russell says The Cowshed is a house of miracles. Picture: Emma Merchant

    The Cowshed thanks Wokingham United Charities

    No parking enforcement tickets will be issued after woman suffers fall.

    RingGo still in use for parking

    Wokingham MP Clive Jones at last Wednesday's PMQs. Pic: BBC Parliament.

    MP reacts to RBH ‘massive shortfall’

    Image by Tung Lam from Pixabay.

    Energy first for Whiteknights primary

    Wokingham Town Football Club?s under-8 Leopards.

    New kit for Leopards

  • LIFESTYLE
    • All
    • Food
    • Health
    • Obituaries
    • People
    Party in the Park on Saturday.

A balcony view.

    Get ready for Party in the Park

    Marvellous is a tribute act festival. Pic: WBC.

    A Marvellous tribute at Dinton

    Wokingham MP Clive Jones at last Wednesday's PMQs. Pic: BBC Parliament.

    MP reacts to RBH ‘massive shortfall’

    Whether people are planning a barbecue, camping trip or countryside hike, there are small steps they can take to prevent a fire from breaking out. Picture: RBFRS

    Help keep Berkshire’s countryside safe from fire this Summer

    Share Wokingham operates at locations across the borough, through the week, providing fresh groceries. Picture: courtesy of Share Wokingham.

    Struggling families can get help with groceries

    Wokingham MP Clive Jones Picture: Andrew Batt

    MP calls for action on ‘dangerous’ delays

    Mike's company, Kill A Watt, aims to help households cut down their energy bills and reduce their impact on the environment. PIcture: Dock8 via PIxabay

    Naturally Speaking

    Christen  Forster speaks about the explosion of life in Spring, and at Pentecost. Picture: Christen Forster

    Church Notes: Impossible things to believe?

    Entries are open for this year's event.

    Enter now for Wokingham Bikeathon

  • WHAT’S ON
    • All
    • Arts
    • Entertainment

    RaW Sounds celebrates five years of championing local music

    Double Standards

    New play ‘Double Standards’ at South Streets Art Centre to explore hypocrisy in dating

    Wokingham Pride

    Could you help Wokingham Pride 2025?

    REVIEW: “Three Hens In A Boat” at The Watermill Theatre

    Siren RG1

    Siren RG1 to mark first anniversary with weekender celebration

    Wellington Farm Shop

    Wellington Farm Shop celebrates its 20th anniversary

    Two concerts in one day from Reading's APO. Picture: Pexels via Pixabay

    An orchestral event in Wokingham promises evening of drama and contrast

    Eva Wong Nava will be at Trinity Hall Church on Monday from 4pm until 5pm. Picture: Eva Wong Nava

    Young writers can meet children’s author Eva Wong Nava

    Crafters can join a project  to decorate Twyford village centre with bunting Picture: Hello I'm Nik on Unsplash

    Get out the bunting for VE Day at Wokingham’s May Fayre

  • JOBS
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT
No Result
View All Result
Wokingham.Today
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Do you qualify for Winter Fuel Payment?

If you don't, what other schemes and practical tips can help keep you warm this winter?

by Emma Merchant
November 6, 2024
in News
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

PENSIONERS no longer eligible to receive Winter Fuel Allowance may be wondering where else to find help.
Here are some sources of support, and practical tips to help keep costs down.

This year Winter Fuel Payments are no longer universal in England and Wales, but available only to pensioners on means-tested benefits.

Introduced in 1997, they were paid annually every winter to all pension-aged people in the UK, to help with the cost of heating bills.

Payments ranged from £100 to £300, but in the winter of 2022/23, around 11.4 million payments of up to £600 were made, due to extra cost of living payments.

Who is eligible for Winter Fuel Payment?

People in England and Wales now only qualify if they are over 66 years of age, and receiving one of the following: Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Pension Credit.

Related posts

Arrest made after child sexually assaulted in Finchampstead

Man robbed and assaulted by group of teenagers in Bracknell

Pension Credit is separate from the State Pension, and can be received even if the claimant has other savings, income, or own property.

It provides an individual over the pension age with extra money to help with living costs if they’re on a low income.

Previously paid automatically to anyone over the pension age, it is not yet clear if this will continue to be the case from winter 2024.

Under current rules households collecting Pension Credit will receive Winter Fuel payments of £200, while those collecting Pension Credit, and with someone in the family over the age of 80, can claim £300.

Andy Kerr, Founder of BOXT, installer of boilers, solar panels, air conditioning and heat pumps, said: “Rachel Reeves made the tough decision to change the eligibility requirements for the Winter Fuel Payments, with only those on Pension Credit now eligible.

“Alongside this, the Ofgem Price Cap has been confirmed as increasing from £1,568 to £1,717 for the average household from October 1, leaving more people vulnerable to high energy costs.

“This means people across the country will be worried about how they will deal with higher bills in the colder months.

“Despite energy costs being a major concern since the cost-of-living crisis began, Pension Credit has a worryingly low uptake, with just 63% of those eligible claiming the benefit.¹

“Vulnerable consumers should check their eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payments, as well as other available funds and schemes.”

To find out if they qualify for Pension Credit people can visit an eligibility calculator on the government website.

Who doesn’t qualify?

People not eligible to receive Winter Fuel Payments are: pensioners claiming New style Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Bereavement Support Payment, State Pension, Disability Living Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, or Attendance Allowance.

What other schemes are available?

Council winter fuel schemes: At least 15 councils in England and Wales, including Reading, are offering their own winter fuel schemes to support senior residents, so it is worth contacting them to find out more.

Household Support Fund was set up in 2021 to support vulnerable households with essential costs like clothing, food, and utilities.
Local councils distribute the fund to eligible residents, and can be contacted to find out what help is available.

Priority Services Register is a free service provided by energy suppliers and network operators to help people needing additional support.
Calls can be made 24/7 for help in case of a power cut or interruption to energy supply.

Ofgem regulations require energy firms to offer a tailored plan to meet people’s needs.
Households can request more time to pay their bills, payment breaks/reductions, and access to hardship funds.

Help For Households on the government website, offers advice and information on where to get financial help.

Energy firm support offers grant schemes from a number of energy providers, for customers struggling to cover their bills.
The Citizens Advice website lists participating firms, or people can contact their energy supplier directly to find out what support they are offering.

British Gas Energy Trust: People unable to get a grant from their supplier may be able to get one from the British Gas Energy Trust.
These are available to anyone, not just British Gas customers.

What practical steps can I take to keep energy costs down?

Energy experts at BOXT suggest:

Smart meters can help people better understand their energy usage via in-home display.
They feedback directly to the energy supplier, avoiding inaccurate readings and unexpectedly high bills.
BOXT recommends that people who don’t already have one should speak to their energy supplier about getting one fitted.

Bleeding radiators: Cold spots on radiators can be caused by air trapped in the system.
Bleeding radiators can help improve their efficiency.

Using a smart thermostat to schedule heating can save up to 10% annually on energy bills.
Systems such as Google Nest Learning Thermostat can help to prevent energy waste by ensuring heating is on only when someone is at home.

Turning the thermostat down by just one degree can significantly reduce bills.
A small change may not be noticed, but can reduce heating costs by 10%.

Check which boiler is best for the home: A system boiler may be a good option for larger houses with high hot water usage, but combi boilers can be more efficient for smaller houses, only heating water when needed.

Consider replacing old boilers: those over 15 years can become inefficient, so it may be worth upgrading to an A-rated boiler to bring energy bills down.

Use insulation: Insulating walls, roofs, and floors can help keep homes warm.Insulating water tanks, pipes and radiators, and applying a hot water cylinder jacket can improve efficiency, save energy and bring down bills.

For more information, visit:
To check Pension Credit eligibility: gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator
Help for Households: helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk
Reading Borough Council: reading.gov.uk (search for winter fuel scheme)
Wokingham Borough Council: wokingham.gov.uk (search for household support)
For energy saving tips, how to bleed a radiator, information about smart thermostats and A-rated boilers: boxt.co.uk/guides
For an Independent Age article on Pension Credit take-up figures ¹ : independentage.org

Keep up to date by signing up for our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people who have requested it.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Previous Post

Wokingham Fireworks 2024: Did you see them?

Next Post

Uni of Reading Professor says Trump ‘may surprise’ on climate change

FOLLOW US

POPULAR THIS WEEK

The Newbury Building Society team receive an award from ceremony host, comedian Simon Evans..Credit: Smart Money People.

Top awards for building society

June 3, 2025
Whether people are planning a barbecue, camping trip or countryside hike, there are small steps they can take to prevent a fire from breaking out. Picture: RBFRS

Help keep Berkshire’s countryside safe from fire this Summer

June 3, 2025
Eversley Cross Picture: Hampshire Fire & Rescue

Fire crews tackle wildfire at Eversley Cross

June 1, 2025
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

Annual photography exhibition starts today

May 30, 2025

Group gathers in Wokingham to mark International Conscientious Objectors Day

June 3, 2025
Mrs Sarah Jane France BEM receives the British Empire Medal. Picture: <a href="www.stphotos.co.uk"> Stewart Turkington </a>

Six Berkshire residents awarded British Empire medal by Berkshire Lieutenancy

May 30, 2025

ABOUT US

Wokingham Today is dedicated to providing news online across the whole of the Borough of Wokingham. It is a Social Enterprise, existing to support the various communities in Wokingham Borough.

Wokingham.Today is a Social Enterprise and aims to ensure that everyone within the Borough has free access to independent and up-to-date news. However, providing this service is not without costs. If you are able to, please make a contribution to support our work.

CONTACT US

[email protected]

Keep up to date with our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people that have subscribed

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Support Us
  • Book Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Get the Print Edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter

The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
If you have a complaint about a  The Wokingham Paper Ltd  publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance, contact the publication concerned, email: [email protected], or telephone: 0118 327 2662. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
  • COMMUNITY
  • LIFESTYLE
  • SPORT
  • READING FC
  • OBITUARIES
  • WHAT’S ON
  • JOBS
  • PHOTOS
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • CONTACT US
  • WHERE TO GET THE PRINT EDITION
  • SUPPORT US

© 2022 - The Wokingham Paper Ltd - All Right Reserved.