Winter Fuel Payment scams rise and how to avoid them
The payment was only available to pensioners receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits.
It will now be made to anyone with an income of under £35,000 a year, but many pensioners are unsure on whether they qualify.
"There's a lot of confusion about who qualifies and who doesn't," says Fiona Peake, Personal Finance Expert at Ocean Finance.
"Simply put, if you're over state pension age and your total annual income is £35,000 or less, you'll receive the payment. This includes income from private pensions, freelance work, and interest on non-ISA savings."
The full details were announced here.
Millions of pensioner households faced unaffordable energy costs last winter.
While the changes will provide some relief to these households, there will still be pensioners unable to afford the high cost of energy and living in cold damp homes.
So now the Government must focus… https://t.co/ncvxLnEdPI
"It'll land in your bank account automatically, likely in November or December," says Fiona. "No forms, no calls, no claims. For those who know they'll be over the income limit, there'll be a way to opt out of the payment completely, to avoid having to repay it later but the government hasn't said exactly how yet.
"The Winter Fuel Payment will be a lifeline for nearly two million older households who are living in fuel poverty, but the new eligibility criteria make things more complicated. A single pensioner earning £36,000 a year could have to pay back the full amount, while a couple earning £69,000 could keep every penny. That creates grey area scammers love to exploit."
Devolved authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland will each receive a funding uplift so they too can meet the new threshold.
Independent Age chief executive Joanna Elson said: 'We are pleased that the UK Government has listened to the voices of older people on a low income and reconsidered what was an incredibly damaging change to the winter fuel payment.
'By widening the eligibility criteria, more older people in financial hardship will now receive this vital lifeline in time for winter.
'Our helpline receives thousands of calls from older people making drastic cutbacks just to get by and the changes to the winter fuel payment made this worse. For millions living on low incomes, the entitlement supports them to turn their heating on and stock up on food during the colder months.
'While the changes to the winter fuel payment are positive, they are not a silver bullet that will end pensioner poverty.'
Martin Lewis shares 'crucial need to know' energy bill rules
First up, don't panic, and don't blame yourself - it's easily done. The sooner you report it, the better.
Siobhan Blagbrough, Financial Crime Manager at Ocean Finance, says: 'Fraudsters often pounce on government announcements to trick people when the public is most likely to be unsure of the rules. We're already seeing fake messages pretending to be from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), urging pensioners to 'apply now' or risk missing out on their £300 payment.
"These scam texts often include fake links and ask for personal details or for people to reply 'YES' to claim the payment. These messages are bogus. The DWP has confirmed that eligible households will receive the money automatically, and no application is needed.
'If you've already clicked a link or given details, contact your bank immediately. You can also report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Above all, trust your instincts. Genuine government payments won't be sent via text messages with links or requests for personal information.'
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