Winter fuel payment and working tax credit?

mumtoomany

Hi, I wonder if anyone can answer this for me, I am unable to find an answer elsewhere? OH has been getting his state pension since the start of this year, also a couple of small private pensions and we are still getting working tax credit. (Self employed farmers, barely earning anything). Everything I've read says that winter fuel payment is only for pensioners on means tested benefits, but then working tax credit is not listed as one of them. Anyone know if we will register it or not? Thanks in advance, mumtoomany.x

poppy12345

Working Tax Credits isn't a qualifying benefit to be entitled. It would be Pension Credit or Universal Credit. https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/eligibility

mumtoomany

@poppy12345, thank you. It's not a big problem not having it. Most of the heating is from wood, free thanks to several storms and ash die back. Hugs, mumtoomany.x

Newcad

You are aware that Tax Credits are ending for everybody on 5th April 2025?

You should be getting a letter about it soon if you haven't already.

https://community.hmrc.gov.uk/customerforums/taxcredits/d5069abf-5add-ee11-904d-6045bd127724

If you are claiming tax credits and are State Pension age or over, the DWP or the Department for Communities will write to you to ask you to apply for Universal Credit or Pension Credit, depending on your circumstances.

Which is probably why WTCs have not been included as a qualifying benefit for the Winter Fuel Payments.

mumtoomany

Thanks, @Newcad. Yes already had the letter thanks. Ours will finish in April. Don't think we'll be eligible for UC, but will look into it then. Seems a little unfair for others still on it, as it's means tested. Mumtoomany.x

Spoonie_Turtle

mumtoomany said:

Thanks, @Newcad. Yes already had the letter thanks. Ours will finish in April. Don't think we'll be eligible for UC, but will look into it then. Seems a little unfair for others still on it, as it's means tested. Mumtoomany.x

That's odd, the deadline to apply is usually 3 months from the date of the letter.  You should still be eligible for UC due to transitional protection, but only if you apply by the migration deadline.

HillStreetBlues

OP, your Tax credits will end on the date stated on migration letter whether or not you claim UC.

mumtoomany

Thank you, both. The working tax credit claim is based on OH working, when you make next to nothing, it hardly seems worth both of us filling in tax returns. (I don't  need the national insurance contributions for my full pension) For a variety of reasons, we are considering stopping the farming next year. We will have more savings than would be allowed for UC. I reach retirement age in the next couple of years. So probably won't claim UC. We can manage without, grow much of our own food and never spend any money! Thank you all for taking the time to reply, mumtoomany.x

Rubyroobs

mumtoomany said:

Thank you, both. The working tax credit claim is based on OH working, when you make next to nothing, it hardly seems worth both of us filling in tax returns. (I don't  need the national insurance contributions for my full pension) For a variety of reasons, we are considering stopping the farming next year. We will have more savings than would be allowed for UC. I reach retirement age in the next couple of years. So probably won't claim UC. We can manage without, grow much of our own food and never spend any money! Thank you all for taking the time to reply, mumtoomany.x

I thought you were at least meant to make minimum wage  to be eligible for working tax credits top ups. ?

Newcad

mumtoomany said:

Thank you, both. The working tax credit claim is based on OH working, when you make next to nothing, it hardly seems worth both of us filling in tax returns. (I don't  need the national insurance contributions for my full pension) For a variety of reasons, we are considering stopping the farming next year. We will have more savings than would be allowed for UC. I reach retirement age in the next couple of years. So probably won't claim UC. We can manage without, grow much of our own food and never spend any money! Thank you all for taking the time to reply, mumtoomany.x

Those are two very relevant pieces of information.
I'll take them the other way round to as written though.

Firstly - As you have not yet reached your state pension age but your partner has then you are what is known as a 'Mixed Age Couple' for benefits, meaning that your notice letter would have to be a Managed Migration from Tax Credits to UC.
As spoonie says that letter normally gives you three months to make the UC claim, I would read it again and check the date it says that you have to claim UC by - because even if you don't claim UC before then your Tax Credits will stop on that date.

Secondly and importantly - Whilst normally savings/capital of over £16K would disqualify you from claiming UC that does not apply in the case of a Managed Migration from Tax Credits.
In a Managed Migration from Tax Credits you can still claim UC for 12 months even when your savings are above £16K - provided that you claim before the date stated on the Migration letter. It doesn't matter how high your savings/capital are you can still claim UC for those 12 months.
So it should be worth your while to make that UC claim and take the 12 months UC that you can get, why pass up free money?.

If your savings are less than £16k then you are still eligble for UC anyway until you also reach State Pension Age.
Any savings of between £6K and £16K will reduce how much UC you can be paid, but should probably still leave something payable.