Is this misinformation from the Director of Smart Energy GB this morning or have I got it wrong?

Thank you DaisyAnne. You’ve confirmed my understanding of the criteria for the £650 cost of living payment. Thankfully, I’m not disabled so not in receipt of any disability benefits. My sole income is new state pension but as I receive it in full I don’t qualify for pension credit.
So no pension credit=no £650 cost of living payment despite Victoria Bacon suggesting on tv yesterday that it was being paid to all pensioners. She made no reference to any qualifying criteria such as pension credit or disability benefits.

I'm having a problem with the smart meter.
It keeps telling us off we are exceeding the budget yet it's only the start of autumn.

It came without an explanatory booklet so now I'm off to search online.

I am having problems with the stars. They go one star, two stars, three stars, four stars in the explanation.

£650 is three stars and £150 is four stars. I have no idea what is eating them

As others have said Winter Fuel Payment is separate from the Cost of Living/Energy Support payments.

You can see them here: www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-much-youll-get

* Paid in two parts for those on means tested benefits
**Paid directly to none means-tested disability recipients

Stars disappeared.

Grannynannywanny

Victoria Bacon was interviewed on BBC Breakfast this morning to participate in a discussion about the energy crisis. She stated that in addition to the £400 payment there will be an additional £650 paid to pensioners.

I thought this was only payable to those in receipt of pension credit or disability related benefits? She made no reference to any qualifying criteria and stated it would be paid to pensioners.

*Pensioner Households will get*:
£400 Energy Support Bills Support Scheme*
£300 Pensioner Cost of Living**

Low Income Pensioners will get
£400 Energy Support Bills Support Scheme*
£300 Pensioner Cost of Living**
£650 Cost of Living Payment*

Low Income Disabled Pensioners will get
£400 Energy Support Bills Support Scheme*
£300 Pensioner Cost of Living**
£650 Cost of Living Payment*
£150 Disability Cost of Living Payment**

*Everyone gets this credited direct to their energy bill over six months from October.
**Paid automatically to households that already qualify for the Winter-Fuel Payment
*Paid in two parts for those on means tested benefits
Paid directly to none means-tested disability recipients

kissngate the £650 cost of living payment she was referring to is a separate issue from the winter fuel payments. She said pensioners will receive the £650 in addition to winter fuel payments. Unless I’ve completely lost the plot ( which is possible) those who qualify for this £650 cost of living payment must be in receipt of disability benefits or if on state pension must qualify for pension credit. I have full state pension so don’t qualify for pension credit. I’ve read it through on the govt website and also Age.uk and I don’t fall into the qualifying categories. But I’ll be delighted if I’ve got it wrong!

Personally, I think Disability Benefit should be means tested. I know 2 people, who use this money to fund their family abroad, because they really are quite ‘well off’…… 4 private pensions, which she hardly uses plus DB.

Re my post above, apologies I should have said the £500/600 payment is per HOUSEHOLD not pp. This does make a difference if she inferred every pensioner would receive the payment.

GNW - hands up I haven't listened to VB so may have misinterpreted what she said. However having read again the info on the govt website I think you are wrong with regard winter fuel payments. All pensioners 66+ will receive a £500 or £600 winter fuel payment in November. An additional payment of £150 is/has being paid to those claiming disability allowance. My friend 82 who I help with online payments does not claim any benefits. She has a basic state pension plus a couple of pension annuities. She will receive in November a winter fuel payment of £600 and British Gas are paying into her bank £66/67 pm (Oct-March) towards energy costs. On top of this she received £150 in September from the Council towards her bills as her bungalow is Band B.

kissngate she referred to it as the £650 cost of living payment and said it would be paid to pensioners and they should have already received half of it. She made no mention of the qualifying criteria of being in receipt of disability benefits or pension credit. She stated it is being paid to pensioners. She should have made it clear that pensioners whose sole income is their state pension do not qualify for the £650 cost of living payment.

growstuff

kissngate

To be fair to Victoria Bacon she wasnt far out with her estimate. All pensioners 66+ who qualify for Winter Fuel Allowance will get between £500 - £600 (either a single payment or split equally depending on age) as well as the £400 energy payment everyone is receiving.

She shouldn't be estimating! This money is critical for those on low incomes and a few pounds makes a difference.

If you are a pensioner under 80 and receive any form of disability payment you will receive £400+£500+£150 = £1050 ) which is the sum Victoria quoted) + £100 if over 80 = £1150. However if broadcasting on radio or TV the figures quoted should be explained with more details.

I did, how nosy!
But I'd not heard of her (very remiss of me, I've probably seen her on TV but not clocked her name) so wanted to check who she was.
Yes, it's quite complimentary!

Oh, she's the smart meter woman, got it!

kissngate

To be fair to Victoria Bacon she wasnt far out with her estimate. All pensioners 66+ who qualify for Winter Fuel Allowance will get between £500 - £600 (either a single payment or split equally depending on age) as well as the £400 energy payment everyone is receiving.

She shouldn't be estimating! This money is critical for those on low incomes and a few pounds makes a difference.

You looked up her Linkedin profile too Callistemon? So did I and had a chuckle. How do people who think so highly of themselves make such basic errors? Oh hang on, it seems it might be in the job description for this government.

To be fair to Victoria Bacon she wasnt far out with her estimate

As the the Director of Smart Energy GB Victoria Bacon should have been more accurate with her information.
Her own description:
"I'm a highly experienced executive-level Director, team leader and communications specialist^

As a communications specialist she needs to be accurate when disseminating information as important as this.

To be fair to Victoria Bacon she wasnt far out with her estimate. All pensioners 66+ who qualify for Winter Fuel Allowance will get between £500 - £600 (either a single payment or split equally depending on age) as well as the £400 energy payment everyone is receiving.

I dont get my state pension until next year, but my partner does he will get £200 heating allowance plus £300 cost of living allowance. Victoria Bacon is wrong about the £650 pounds, this is for people who are on certain benefits.

That is as well as the £400 which every household will receive via their energy provider.

Grannynannywanny

Victoria Bacon was interviewed on BBC Breakfast this morning to participate in a discussion about the energy crisis. She stated that in addition to the £400 payment there will be an additional £650 paid to pensioners.

I thought this was only payable to those in receipt of pension credit or disability related benefits? She made no reference to any qualifying criteria and stated it would be paid to pensioners.

She's wrong.

Those in receipt of a State Pension, eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment will get an enhanced amount for this winter only.

The total amount payable is £600 for those born on or before 25 September 1942 and £500 for those born between 26 September 1942 and 25 September 1956 for those who I've alone.

Those living with another eligible person will receive £500, £550 or £600 between them.

I think!

Apologies if I got the WFA amount wrong, I was basing it on what my mum got, age 89 and living alone.

annsixty

All pensioners who get winter fuel payments are due to get an extra £300 is my understanding.
As I am over 80 I get £300 anyway so that means I have £600 in November/December.
I hope this is true.

Yes, that is correct. With the £400 given to all users, pensioners who get the Winter Fuel allowance will receive £1000 in total over the winter.

Sadly, I lose out on this by two weeks as to be eligible, you need to be in receipt of your state pension during a specific week towards the end of September - I get my pension on the 4th October!

I have read the Gov.uk details and agree with Blossoming. If you receive Winter Fuel allowance and are Under 80 there will be an additional £300 payment.

If you and your oh normally receive £100pp WFA you will get £250pp this winter only. This increases by £50pp if you are both over 80. You will receive £500 if you are under 80 and live alone and £600 if over 80 and alone. These amounts do not include any additional sums you may receive if you are on benefits.

Right, I have checked and Victoria Bacon is talking tosh. You definitely have to be on a means tested benefit.

If you qualify forWinter Fuel Payment you will receive £300 extra Winter Fuel Payment on top of the usual £200 or £150.

I got my disability cost of living payment (£150) yesterday. I’m going to check what else I can expect now, as I thought other payments were for people on means tested benefits, which I wouldn’t qualify for.