Winter fuel payment - eligibility query 4 November 2022 at 5:14PM in Benefits & tax credits 8 replies 424 views

Ivesyxyz

My mothers circumstances have changed - she's been living in a care home before, after and during the 'qualifying week' 19 to 25 September 2022 as a self-funder.  During that time she still owned her own property which was up for sale and has since been sold to pay for her care fees (grrr). My query is, on the gov.uk site it says you will not be eligible if you were in a care home during the qualifying week AND got Pension Credit, Income Support, Income based JSA or income related JSA. My mother claims none of these, so IS she eligible? I rang the helpline today but they weren't sure and proceeded to give the number for pensions.... any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

calcotti

I read it as she qualifies but I have no more information than what you have read.

Robbie64

The following suggests she will qualify but will only receive half the payment (I assume this is half the normal payment as the "boost" for this winter is fixed at £300 so £100 or £150 + £300)

People in residential care who receive Pension Credit do not qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment. Other care home residents receive half the full rate (£100, or £150 for people aged 80 or over). This note describes the rules as they apply to people in care homes, and explains the rationale behind them.

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01475/

There's a downloadable (PDF) briefing note at the above link that explains why some people in care homes get half the standard rate and others (e.g. in receipt of Pension Credit while in a care home) get nothing.

Ivesyxyz

Thanks for the resp

onses.  I have to ring them on Monday (again!) and I'll see what she's entitled to and mention the above is there's any chew! Thanks

Robbie64

The problem with the Pension Credit helpline is it's not always very helpful. In fact it's a complete mess at the moment due to massive backlogs of work with long wait times as a result and I believe some of the staff who answer the phone have only basic training. That will acount for why a question that is "out of the ordinary" will throw them.

Mrssmiggy

A lady who I used to care for is in a carehome and I’m her appointee and she’s had a letter saying she will receive £600 she’s 102 

molerat

Mrssmiggy said:

A lady who I used to care for is in a carehome and I’m her appointee and she’s had a letter saying she will receive £600 she’s 102 

I suspect then that DWP are not fully aware or her circumstances as if in a care home she is entitled to a maximum of £300.

calcotti

Mrssmiggy said:

A lady who I used to care for is in a carehome and I’m her appointee and she’s had a letter saying she will receive £600 she’s 102 

As her appointee have you advised DWP that she is in a care home? As molerat says, that doesn’t look correct.

Mrssmiggy

calcotti said:

Mrssmiggy said:

A lady who I used to care for is in a carehome and I’m her appointee and she’s had a letter saying she will receive £600 she’s 102 

As her appointee have you advised DWP that she is in a care home? As molerat says, that doesn’t look correct.

Yes I informed them 2 years ago