Single elderly man and help towards fuel costs

Keswick1uk

My Dad is 81 and recently widowed. His income is circa £11k. 

I'm helping him plan for the winter fuel costs both in terms of options to reduce use and also in terms of extra financial help he is entitled to.

Trying to work out how much and if he will have to make a formal claim for any of it.

He's has already recieved the £150 via the council tax refundy credit scheme.

I think he will also get...

£600 winter fuel allowance
A grant of some degree (was originally a loan?) As reduction via his fuel company?

Is that right - there anything else?

sammyjammy

That would be the planned £400, I believe it will be applied to electric bill in increments over a six month period.

Does he not claim any income based benefits such as pension credit?

calcotti

He will get an additional £300 in the Winter Fuel Payment in Nov/Dec so, as you say, £600.

p00hsticks

sammyjammy said:

Does he not claim any income based benefits such as pension credit?

With a yearly income of £11k I don't think he'd be eligible for Pension Credit.

But there may be other benefits he could claim - off the top of my head, Attendance Allowance and Council Tax reduction might be worth looking into.   

calcotti

With income of about £11,000 I would expect some entitlement to Council Tax Reduction unless reduced due to capital over £10,000.
Possibly a little Savings Pension Credit depending on exact figures.
If AA was claimed and awarded with the addition of a Severe Disability Addition there would be Pension Credit entitled which would then passport to full Council Tax Reduction.

powerspowers

A benefit check would be useful, especially if he has health issues. Receiving pension credit or attendance allowance can open up other sources of funding. 

Check with his local council about how they are distributing household support fund money. Each council is setting their own criteria (in England, I think Scotland, Wales and NI have national arrangements) but a third must be spent on pensioners so hopefully there is support available via that route. 

pmlindyloo

calcotti said:

With income of about £11,000 I would expect some entitlement to Council Tax Reduction unless reduced due to capital over £10,000.
Possibly a little Savings Pension Credit depending on exact figures.
If AA was claimed and awarded with the addition of a Severe Disability Addition there would be Pension Credit entitled which would then passport to full Council Tax Reduction.

I agree.  Just to clarify, Savings Pension Credit, which your dad may be eligible for, does not passport you to full council tax reduction.  You need Guarantee Pension Credit for that.  (I know you know this Calcotti but worth pointing out to save any confusion!)   

Use a benefits calculator like www.entitledto.co.uk to check.

Here is a link for the financial support available:

Cost of living support factsheet: 26 May 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)  (Is this a 'sticky?')

Depending on your dad's savings I would suggest that he applies to his local council for financial help from the Household Support Fund.  This source of financial help is often overlooked and, hopefully, meets some of the needs of people who 'fall just outside' of eligibility for means tested benefits which automatically ensure extra financial help.

Also, some of the energy companies have funds for those struggling financially so it is also worthwhile exploring this.

calcotti

pmlindyloo said:..Just to clarify, Savings Pension Credit, which your dad may be eligible for, does not passport you to full council tax reduction.  You need Guarantee Pension Credit for that.  (I know you know this Calcotti but worth pointing out to save any confusion!)   

Thanks for clarifying that. My passported CTR comment was definitely aimed at situation if GPC is awarded which (unless lots of savings) will be the case if SDP is added due to an AA award but I could have been clearer.

calcotti said:

If AA was claimed and awarded with the addition of a Severe Disability Addition there would be Pension Credit entitled which would then passport to full Council Tax Reduction.

elsien

Does obviously depend on health and care needs - my 83 year parent wouldn’t qualify for AA.