Money
Exact date Aldi’s winter gadget returns to stores after selling out…it costs 6p to run and dries clothes without heating
THIS is the exact date Aldi’s much-anticipated winter gadget returns to stores after selling out – and only costs 6p to run.
The German discounter’s heated airer is set to land in middle aisles up and down the country on Sunday, October 20.
In recent years the device, that lets you dry your clothing without turning on the central heating or using a tumble dryer, has flown off the shelves.
Brits have also praised the device for helping them warm up their home without breaking the bank.
It comes as many homes across the UK are bracing themselves for another winter of misery, with energy bills set to rise by £149 annually.
Heated airers can save money on your energy bill as it offers a cheaper alternative to drying your clothes on the radiator.
This method can become costly as it requires you to turn on the central heating.
Heated clothes airers are like traditional ones, but you plug them in, with the bars of the dryer heating up.
You can buy covers for some as well, which speeds up the time it takes to dry your clothes.
Aldi‘s heated airer costs could offer a solution for many families as it costs just 6p to run and will set you back £34.99 when it lands in stores.
The large 230W drying device can hold 10kg of washing, including towels and bedding.
You have to plug it in to get the heating effect from the product.
It costs less than 50p for eight hours, this is compared to a 2500W tumble dryer costs which costs about 85p to use for just one hour.
Aldi calculates that under the current price cap where electricity costs on average 22p per kwh, it costs around 6p to run, though the exact cost can vary depending on where you are and how you pay your bill.
If you want to get your hands on one you will have to act quickly, as this product is an Aldi Specialbuy and once it is gone it is gone.
Aldi does not have an online store so you will have to shop in person if you want to get your hands on one.
You can find your nearest Alid by looking at the company’s store locator online.
How does it compare?
Other retailers such as Dunelm and John Lewis sell similar products but they can cost upwards of £100.
If you do not manage to get your hands on one from Aldi do not worry, as The Sun found a very similar product from Amazon for the same price.
The Highlands Electric Heated Clothes Dryer Folding Energy-Efficient Indoor Airer Wet Laundry Drying Horse Rack costs £34.99 and has a 4.3 star rating out of five.
However, you will have to factor in delivery costs as you can only shop for Amazon products online.
How much does it cost to run a heated air dryer?
Aldi claims that this heated airer costs up to 6p to run for an hour.
So if you use it three times a week and keep it on for four hours, that costs just £37.44 over the year.
However, the price of using this device can vary depending on the individual’s usage and the model you have.
You’ll need to consider the specifics of the item, such as the wattage, how much you use it and then the cost of energy at the time.
But the higher the wattage, the more expensive it will be to run.
The cost is also based on the current Ofgem price cap, which currently sits at £1,568.
But it’s set to rise to £1,717 a year, for the average dual fuel bill and based on typical usage, from October 1.
That means there may be a very small increase to the cost. The price will also be different if you’re not one of the 28million on a tariff that’s subject to the price cap.
The equation you need to work out how much a device is costing you to run is: Cost = power (kilowatt) × time (hour) × cost of 1 kWh (pence).
How to save money at Aldi
Unlike other major grocers, Aldi does not have a rewards or point card system but that does not mean you cannot save on your shop.
Every week the store releases a list of special buys, which are unique bargain products you find online at Aldi and in-store.
The store releases a fresh range of deals every Thursday and Sunday, so be sure to check regularly to see what’s new.
Meanwhile, the store also regularly sells fruit and vegetables at highly discounted prices, as part of its ‘super six’ deal.
It also does weekly saving offers on typically pricey items such as meat and fish.
How to bag a bargain
SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain…
Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with.
Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks.
Sales are when you can pick up a real steal.
Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on.
Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer.
Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping.
Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
Money
Ikea reveals opening date for new town centre store giving new lease of life to empty Debenhams on busy high street
IKEA will open a new store in a major city centre next year as it continues its focus on high street locations.
The shop in Churchill Square, Brighton, will replace the former Debenhams store which has been empty since 2021, when the high street giant fell into administration.
Ikea has moved away from big warehouse stores in recent years and is now eyeing up smaller sites.
It already has a smaller store in Hammersmith, London, and has unveiled plans for a shop on Oxford Street, which will replace Topshop’s flagship store.
The Swedish giant has not yet confirmed the exact date when the Brighton store will open but has said it will be in 2025.
But it revealed to the Sun that it will be after the Oxford Street location has opened its doors next spring.
The launch of the Oxford Street store has been pushed back several times during the renovation of the seven-floor building.
The Churchill Square Ikea will be the homeware retailer’s 23rd store in the UK.
Plans for the site were revealed last year, to the excitement of shoppers.
It will stock a wide array of the brand’s most popular products, including 6,000 items on display and 3,000 available for immediate purchase.
Staff will be on hand to help customers plan a new kitchen, bedroom or bathroom installation.
The full Ikea range will be available for delivery.
There will also be a Swedish Deli where customers will be able to tuck into the retailer’s iconic meatballs.
The store will also have on-site parking and electric vehicle charging points.
It will be accessible by bus or using a cycle lane.
Ikea’s first city centre shop opened in Tottenham Court Road, London, in October 2018.
Cut costs by joining Ikea Family
YOU could save money and get instant rewards by joining Ikea Family.
Signing up is a straightforward process and can be done either online or in-store.
To join Ikea Family online, visit www.ikea.com/gb/en/ikea-family.
You will need to provide some personal information, such as your name, email address, and home address.
You’ll also be asked to create a password for your account.
Once you’ve registered, Ikea will issue a digital Family card to your email, and this can saved on your phone.
The furniture giant no longer issues physical Ikea Family cards.
If you want to sign up for the membership scheme in-store, look for an Ikea Family kiosk.
These are usually located near the entrance or customer service area.
Follow the on-screen instructions to sign up for the Ikea Family membership.
Some kiosks may print out a temporary Ikea Family card for you to use immediately.
You will also receive a digital version of your card via email.
Although it closed in July 2021, the homeware brand has continued to focus on the high street.
In its company report Peter Jelkeby, chief executive and chief sustainability officer at Ikea UK, said: “We continue to dedicate our energy to our UK expansion plans.
“We are laser-focused on continuing to innovate to reach more customers, with a network of new, smaller stores that offer different experiences.”
He added that the stores will also include “new services that meet all of our customers’ needs, no matter where they live”.
The report also revealed that Ikea sales slumped by 2.4% last year, which the retailer said was due to its decision to prioritise affordability by lowering prices.
The cost of almost 3,000 products were slashed last year, offering customers an average price reduction of around 19%.
Among the items to see their prices cut were the Malm chest of three drawers and Ikea 365+ frying pan.
Where is my closest Ikea?
A quick way of figuring out if you have an Ikea store near you is by using the retailer’s locator tool on its website.
You just have to enter the town or city where you live, or your postcode and it will pull up the nearest site.
The same page has a helpful map showing where all of the 21 current stores are located.
Below we reveal the full list of Ikea stores in the UK:
- Croydon
- Hammersmith
- Greenwich
- Lakeside
- Wembley
- Birmingham (Wednesbury)
- Nottingham
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- Exeter
- Belfast
- Manchester
- Warrington
- Edinburgh
- Gateshead
- Glasgow
- Leeds
- Sheffield
- Milton Keynes
- Reading
- Southampton
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Money
The seven key dates you need to know as millions set to get £150 bill discount to help heat homes this winter
MILLIONS of pensioners can get £150 to cover the cost of energy bills over the winter – but there are some key dates you need to know about.
The Warm Home Discount (WHD) is a reduction on your electricity, and sometimes gas, applied by energy firms once a year.
Between now and December, the Government will issue letters to households that are eligible for the scheme.
The discount will be applied to energy bills over the winter by your energy firm.
The eligibility requirements for the Warm Home Discount are the same as last year, which we explain below.
You can get the help regardless of who supplies your energy, as long as you are eligible for the scheme and your firm is signed up.
If you think you might qualify for the WHD this year, there are a few dates to keep track of.
It’s important to make a note of these dates so you can plan out your finances and report any issues to your supplier.
Below, we’ve rounded up all the dates so you know what’s what.
Qualifying date – August 11
To qualify for the help, you need to have been in receipt of the guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit or a different qualifying benefit from the list below on August 11:
If you weren’t claiming any of the above benefits on August 11, 2024, you won’t be eligible for the rebate.
But, if your benefits claim is backdated to this date or earlier, you may become eligible for a discount.
Helpline opens – October 14
The WHD helpline opens for Core Group 1 and Core Group 2 customers in England and Wales.
The WHD helpline can be reached at 0800 030 9322.
The type of personal information that might be required from you includes an energy bill in your name or a tax credit certificate for the current tax year, which shows your income and the number of adults and children included in your assessment.
You may also have to provide proof of receipt of benefits.
Letters go out – between October and December
If you qualify for the WHD, you’ll receive a letter from your energy firm soon.
They’ll be dished out between October and December so keep your eyes peeled.
The letter will confirm if you are eligible for an automatic rebate or advise you to call a helpline to check if you are eligible.
Deadline to backdate Pension Credit – November 10
The August 11 qualifying date does not apply if you are receiving the guarantee credit element of Pension Credit.
This is because you can backdate Pension Credit claims by up to three months.
But, that does mean you will have to launch your Pension Credit claim by the end of Sunday, November 10.
Then, you’ll need to successfully backdate it to cover the August 11 date. If you fail to do this, you’ll miss out on the £150 discount this year.
Pension Credit explained
Pension Credit is a benefit which gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re on a low income in retirement.
It can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
You may be able to get extra help of you’re a carer, have a disability, or are responsible for a child.
It also opens up access to lots of other benefits such as the warm home discount scheme, support for mortgage interest, council tax discounts, free TV licences once you’re over 75, and help with NHS costs.
To qualify, you need to be over state pension age and live in England, Scotland or Wales.
If you have a partner, you need to include them on your claim.
Pension Credit tops up:
- your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single
- your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner
However, even if your income is higher, you might still qualify if you have a disability or caring responsibilities.
There is also another element to Pension Credit called savings credit. To get this, you need to have saved some money towards your retirement.
You can get an extra £17.01 a week for a single person or £19.04 a week for a married couple.
If you have more than £10,000 in savings, the government uses a calculation to work out how much it adds to your income.
Every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.
When you need to act – January 2025
You should have received a letter to let you know if you can get the help by January.
If you still haven’t been notified and think you should be eligible then make sure you check the Government website gov.uk for more information.
Failing that, contact the above helpline for support.
Helpline shuts – February 28
February 28 is the deadline to contact the WHD helpline if you’re advised to get in touch in your letter.
Please contact the helpline included in your letter before this date if you’re eligible to make sure you don’t miss out on the payment.
All discounts must be applied – March 31
Energy firms have until the end of March next year to dish out the discounts to their eligible customers.
The £150 will be taken off your bill or given to you in voucher form between October and that date.
EDF Energy, which has around 5.22million customers, has said that it will aim to pay the discount by the end of February 28, 2025 at the latest.
And British Gas, the UK’s biggest supplier with 7million billpayers, has also confirmed that it will making the payments.
If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill, the £150 Warm Home Discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit.
If you have a traditional prepayment meter, your firm will send you a voucher you can use to top up your meter at your nearest Paypoint kiosk.
You can find your closest one by visiting consumer.paypoint.com/cashout.
What energy bill help is available?
THERE’S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Money
Martin Lewis reveals debt clearing card ‘where everyone accepted’ with 0% interest for 29 months – it’s the best around
MARTIN Lewis has revealed a “key weapon” for households struggling to keep up with credit card debt.
The consumer champion has outlined a new balance transfer card which allows you to pay no interest on the amount you owe for more than two years.
The Virgin Money 0% balance transfer card gives you 29 months interest-free, which is the longest period of any card on the market.
Everyone who gets accepted receives the full deal, which can give them breathing room to begin paying off their credit card debt.
In the MoneySavingExpert newsletter Martin Lewis said: “As we always say, a top 0% balance transfer is the core weapon for cutting credit card interest.
“If you can’t afford to clear your credit card, you can’t afford not to check this out.”
read more on credit cards
The card works by allowing you to move your credit card balance from another credit or store card to the Virgin Money credit card.
There is a 3.45% fee to move your money.
It means you can begin paying off your debt without accruing more interest on your balance, helping you to pay off what you owe faster.
A balance transfer credit card could be a useful option if you have debt spread across a few different cards or the rate on them has soared.
However, you can’t transfer a balance between cards from the same bank.
What other cards are available?
You can also get 29 months to pay off your balance with the HSBC Balance Transfer Credit Card Visa.
Some people will get the full 29 months to pay their balance back but others will get a shorter period depending on their credit score.
This card has a 3.49% fee to transfer your balance and will charge you 24.9% once your interest-free period is over.
Meanwhile, the Barclaycard Platinum Balance Transfer Visa gives you 28 months to pay back your balance and has a transfer fee of 3.45%.
Once the interest free period ends you will pay 24.9% interest on your balance.
How to shift your credit card debt quickly
By James Flanders, Consumer Reporter
UK Finance reports that we spend a whopping £2 billion a month using our credit cards.
While that little strip of plastic makes everyday spending easy peasy, it comes at a huge cost.
According to The Money Charity, the average credit card debt sits at £2,485 per household or £1,312 per adult.
And if you’re stuck on a credit card with a high APR and only making the minimum repayments, you could be forking out hundreds of pounds extra in interest charges.
For example, if you owe £1,312 on your credit card and are charged 24.8% APR.
If you don’t make any more transactions and pay £100 a month in repayments, you will pay off the card by September 2025 but at £207 in interest.
However, by hunting around for a better deal elsewhere and switching to a balance transfer credit card with a lengthy interest-free period, you can save yourself £162.
If the same person was accepted for a 28-month-long zero-interest credit card with a 3.4% balance transfer fee and made the same £100 repayments each month.
They would pay off the debt sooner, in July 2025, and only fork out £45 towards the 3.4% balance transfer fee.
Before taking out a new credit card or increasing the amount you borrow, it’s vital to consider the consequences.
You should only borrow money if you can afford to pay it back.
It’s always vital to ask yourself if you need to borrow before committing to a new credit card, personal loan or overdraft.
If you use a credit card, I’d recommend that you always pay off your balance in full at the end of each statement period.
Lenders have a responsibility to help customers who are in debt.
If you’re in a debt crisis, your first point of call should be your lender.
They might help you out by offering you a reduced interest rate or a temporary payment holiday – so check in with your lender if you’re struggling.
If you think that you can pay off your balance faster then you could apply for the Tesco Bank Clubcard Credit Card which has a lower fee.
The card gives you 27 months to pay your balance back but has a much lower fee of 2.95%.
How to find the best deal
Always use an eligibility calculator before you apply.
Every credit card application you make leaves a mark on your credit file, which can affect your credit score.
The Sun has put together a guide to help you find the best balance transfer cards to apply for to help you pay off debt.
To compare cards use a price comparison website such as MoneySavingExpert’s Cheap Credit Club or Compare the Market.
After you have put your details into an eligibility calculator and it suggests that you are likely to be accepted then you can make a formal application.
To do this you will need to give your email address, name, address and details of your income so the provider can assess whether you are eligible.
You will also need to give details of how much money you want to move to the new card but some providers let you do this after you have been accepted.
If your application is approved then you usually need to transfer your balance within a certain period, which is typically around 60 to 90 days.
Your old balance will be moved and you can start to make payments interest-free on your new card.
What other options are there?
You should look to see what options are available to you before you take out a credit card.
For example, new First Direct 1st Account customers can get £175 for switching to the bank and a £250 0% overdraft.
You will need to switch via the current account switch service to get the bonus and will be subject to a credit check.
If you have a very small credit card balance then this could be better than swapping cards.
You should also see if your local council can help.
Some offer interest-free loans to people on low income but the criteria will depend on your circumstances.
Contact your local council for more information.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Money
Neighbours at war over Grand Designs-style clifftop ‘EYESORE’ which ‘looks like a big pile of shipping containers’
NEIGHBOURS are at war over a “Grand Designs”-style home which is said to be an “eyesore” and has been compared to a pile of “shipping containers”.
The property – in a historic stockbroker town in the Home Counties – was constructed on a road where homes sell for more than £1million.
Plans to build the home were initially approved in 2017 but the landowner made it two metres too high, located it in the wrong place on the plot of land and clad it in a plastic material rather than natural stone and oak.
After an outcry from residents, last year the local council imposed a demolition order on the house.
However, the Independent Planning Inspector, as part of the appeals process, instructed the landowner to make modifications to the building, but they were different to the originally approved planning permission.
Developer Peter Strange was given permission by Waverley Borough Council to build the home in Farnham, Surrey, seven years ago.
The original planning permission was for an “innovative cantilever design”, which would nestle into the woodland backdrop of the steep hillside plot.
The house is positioned just up the road from the Bourne Woods – a location used for the filming of blockbusters such as Napoleon, Gladiator and Harry Potter.
However, the finished building – which appears to be currently unoccupied – was out of line with the submitted plans.
The house was built six metres further to the south than planned, rotated approximately ten degrees from the consented dwelling, and was two metres higher than planned.
And, despite natural stone and oak cladding used in the plans – neighbours said a plastic material was used instead which “radically” changed the appearance.
After the landowner was threatened with enforcement action, Mr Strange – who bought the land in March 2018 for £450,000 – applied for retrospective planning permission for the new home.
This application received over 170 objections from locals who cited a variety of complaints.
One objector, Kevin Lester, wrote that it was an “ugly building” which is “far too big” and “imposing”.
“As it is, it looks like a number of Grey Shipping Containers have just been dumped on site, stacked and bolted together,” he said.
The application was not approved and an appeal was later dismissed with an enforcement order for demolition issued.
Last year, Mr Strange sought permission for the “erection of a dwelling with associated works following demolition of original dwelling”.
This application attracted further objection from residents who questioned why they were having to protest the plans again.
Nearby resident Paul Webb branded the situation a “carbuncle” and said the house was “completely out of character” when compared to the neighbouring properties.
As it is, it looks like a number of Grey Shipping Containers have just been dumped on site, stacked and bolted together
Kevin Lester
“The dreadful abuse then carried out by the developers, flouting the Council’s permission and attempting to foist the ‘shipping container’ house in our beautiful area of Farnham was rightly reversed with the demolition order, and it is impossible to believe that the miscreants even have a right of appeal?”
Mr Webb stated the planning process “risks falling into farce” unless the council sends a “clear signal” to developers that “they must abide by the law”.
Despite further push back from neighbours, the council have upheld part of the landowner’s appeal, meaning the property can stay up as long as changes are made in the next 12 months.
Noel Moss chairs the Bourne Conservation group and has lived in Farnham for 10 years.
‘BLOT ON THE LANDSCAPE’
The 88-year-old said the property is a “blot on the landscape”, adding: “What was built there, as an architectural design, is completely out of keeping with other buildings in the area – for example, the nice cottage opposite.
“With my conservation hat on, it is also taking up character of the very nice green space which faces you as you drive into Farnham from the South – that was always a very nice view.”
Mr Moss, who served in the Army for 30 years, said the site was also a ‘very important foraging area for bats”.
“What I think none of us can understand, is how the planning authority – who would also be aware of the character of the area – allowed such a design to go through, and secondly, didn’t check what was being built,” he continued.
“I don’t think the planning authority at Waverley are exempt from criticism on this matter.”
On the update to the plans, he said: “No one, including the planning committee, understands the present situation.
“My view, and the view of other neighbours I talk to, is that they can’t understand if it needs to be demolished.”
Everyone has to stick to the planning law
Louisa Bristow
Jewellery designer Louisa Bristow also lives near the house and admitted she didn’t “mind” what it looked like as it was “a little bit different”, which she welcomed.
But, the 46-year-old said “everyone has to stick to the planning law”, adding: “The rules are they for a reason and we need to follow them.
“Most people live and left live, some people are very vocal – we just don’t want people to take the mick.”
Jamie Dobse, 52, also lives near the property – and admitted he quite liked the “modern” appearance of it.
“I think it’s a shame it’s not occupied now,” he said of the property, “It wasn’t built as it was designed. I think as it was being built, it seemed quite obvious that it wasn’t how it was agreed.
“It seemed quite obviously different to the proposal.”
Mr Dobse, who works as a designer, said it would be “incredibly wasteful” to demolish the “contemporary” house.
“We need more housing,” he added.
Upholding part of the appeal, the planning inspector said: “As revised, the dwelling would nestle comfortably in the woodland setting in local views, retaining the informal rural character and well-wooded appearance of the locality.
“Owing to its greater overall height the permitted dwelling would have been a more visible built feature, even though set back further into the wooded hillside at a slightly different angle.
“Consequently, the revised dwelling would not appear as a prominent built feature in the surroundings, the immediate setting being largely dominated by maturing trees consistent with the visual qualities of the Arcadian Area.”
A Waverley Borough Council spokesperson told The Sun Online: “We need planning laws to protect our local environment and it is vitally important that they are followed.
“The landowner of 17 Frensham Road did not stick to the agreed plans for their development, and the council issued them with an enforcement notice requiring the demolition of the building.
“The landowner appealed the council’s ruling, and an independent planning inspector has given them until 16 August 2025 to modify the building.
“Various changes are required, including the removal of an external staircase, lowering the roofline and the use of timber cladding, otherwise the building will need to be demolished.”
The Sun Online has attempted to track down Mr Strange for comment.
Money
Households to get cost of living payments of up to £500 this month – how to check if you’re eligible
HOUSEHOLDS across England can get up to a whopping £2,665 worth of cost of living payments this month.
The money comes via the Household Support Fund (HSF) which is worth £421million in total.
The fund has been split up between councils in England who are in charge of distributing their allocation before the end of September.
What you can get depends on where you live, as each local authority has been given its own unique amount.
Now households across England are being offered a collective of £2,665 cost of living payments – with up to £500 per household depending on your location.
The government recently encouraged state pensioners who have just missed out on a Winter Fuel Payment to claim money from the Household Support Fund where they live instead.
Discussing the fund, the government said: “Over a million pensioners will still receive the Winter Fuel Payments, and our drive to boost Pension Credit take up has already seen a 152per cent increase in claims.
“Many others will also benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount to help with energy bills overwinter while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”
Below is a list of councils known to be offering support and how much:
- Brent: £500
- Blackpool: £300
- Rutland: £200
- Herefordshire: £500
- Sunderland: £220
- Bracknell Forest: £315
- Rotherham: £250
- Wiltshire: £200
- Cambridgeshire: £110
You will only receive the payment if you were found to have been eligible after applying.
Anyone who qualifies for help will have received an email telling them.
A maximum of one payment will be made per household and any payments are being made direct into bank accounts.
Some councils started distributing help in April and have already depleted their share, so you might have missed out for now.
The Household Support Fund has been extended multiple times since its inception in October 2021, so it may be extended again though.
There are currently a number of councils offering help via the HSF.
Leicestershire Council is handing out payments worth £300 to thousands of households.
Households in Stockport can claim up to £315 worth of free supermarket vouchers to help with the cost of living.
Meanwhile, Wokingham Council is handing out grants worth up to £140.
If you want to check if you are eligible for help, contact your local council.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool.
How else to get help with the cost of living
If you’re not eligible for the Household Support Fund in your local area, it’s worth checking if you qualify for benefits.
Recent figures from Policy in Practice reveal millions of people aren’t claiming the extra help when they could be.
In total, £23billion went unclaimed over the last financial year, with £8.3billion worth of Universal Credit not claimed for.
You can apply for benefits on the Government’s website.
It’s not just extra money you get from benefits either, with a number opening up additional perks.
Those on Universal Credit can get help covering the cost of childcare, for example, while those on Pension Credit can get a free TV licence.
Those on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit also qualify for the Warm Home Discount – a £150 discount off energy bills once a year.
You may also be able to get grants to cover your energy bills if you’ve fallen into arrears.
A number of energy firms offer grants to struggling customers, including Scottish Power, Octopus Energy and British Gas.
If you’re struggling to pay your bills, speak to your supplier to see if they can give you any help.
Household Support Fund explained
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund.
If you’re battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline.
The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living.
Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households.
Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments.
In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families.
Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying.
Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income.
The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer.
And don’t delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date.
Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it’s crucial you apply as soon as possible.
Money
Exact codes that reveal if you get winter fuel payments as DWP confirms seven benefits that qualify for £300 payment
THOUSANDS of households on certain benefits will no longer qualify for this year’s £300 winter fuel payment.
However, those who have active claims for at least one of seven benefits will still get the cash.
The winter fuel payment was previously available to everyone over the state pension age (66).
However, changes by Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean that around 10million pensioners will no longer receive the benefit.
Now, the payment is limited to retirees on pension credit or those receiving certain six other means-tested benefits.
These include Universal Credit, employment and support allowance (ESA), jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), income support, child tax credit and working tax credit.
You can check that you are actively receiving these benefits, by looking out for relevant codes on your bank statement.
If you are over the state pension age and have received any of the following payment references on your statement, you are likely eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment.
- Pension credit – National insurance (NI) number followed by “DWP PC” or “DWP PCGC”
- Universal Credit – (NI) number followed by “DWP UC”
- Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) – NI number followed by “DWP ESA”
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) – NI number followed by “DWP JSA”
- Income support – NI number followed by “DWP IS”
Households that receive tax credits are paid by HMRC and these will show the following references on your bank statement:
- Child tax credit – NI number followed by “HMRC CTC”
- Working tax credit – NI number followed by “HMRC WTC”
To be eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment, you must have an active claim for the benefits mentioned above during the “qualifying week,” which runs from 16 to 22 September (this week).
Most households automatically receive the winter fuel payment, including those on pension credit.
However, 760,000 households are thought to be missing out on pension credit, which unlocks their eligibility for this year’s winter fuel payment.
Thousands of Sun readers flooded our Winter Fuel SOS helpline on Wednesday, looking for help to hang on to the payment.
The Sun has now launched a free tool to help you check whether you will get the winter fuel payment this year.
Figures from the DWP show that 65% of those entitled to pension credit claimed it in 2023, up from 63% in 2022.
New claims for pension credit can be backdated by up to three months.
This means that the absolute deadline to claim the benefit and qualify for this year’s winter fuel payment is December 21.
Of course, if you fail to apply for the benefit before this date, you won’t qualify for this year’s £300 payment.
What is pension credit and how do I apply?
PENSION credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you have a partner.
This is known as “guarantee credit”.
If your income is lower than this, you’re very likely to be eligible for the benefit.
However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
You may get extra amounts if you have other responsibilities and costs.
Pension credit opens the door to lots of other benefits such as the warm home discount scheme, support for mortgage interest, council tax discounts, free TV licences once you’re over 75, and help with NHS costs.
To qualify, you need to be over state pension age and live in England, Scotland or Wales.
If you have a partner, you need to include them on your claim.
You can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.
Find out more by visiting gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.
OTHER BENEFITS DON’T QUALIFY
Those claiming housing benefit without pension credit will not be due this year’s winter fuel payment.
Housing benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits.
Only those over the state pension age can put in a new claim.
Households that only claim council tax reduction will also not qualify for a winter fuel payment.
Also known as council tax support, the benefit is designed to help individuals on low incomes or certain benefits reduce the amount of council tax they need to pay.
State pensioners who claim child benefit to supplement their income while fostering or raising a child under 20 will also not qualify for a winter fuel payment.
Child benefit provides regular payments to parents or guardians to assist with the costs associated with raising children.
It is designed to help cover expenses such as food, clothing, and other essential needs.
However, it’s important to note that these households may still be eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment if they also claim a qualifying benefit.
Even if you are found to be claiming an eligible benefit during the qualifying week, some households may still be ineligible for the winter fuel payment.
You will not be eligible if you:
- Live in Scotland
- Have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
- Were in prison for the whole of the week of September 16-22, 2024
- Were living in a care home for the whole time from June 24 to September 22, 2024
However, you can get a winter fuel payment if you have lived in a care home for less than 13 weeks, including the week of September 16-22, 2024.
How much is the winter fuel payment and how is it paid?
PAYMENTS last year were worth between £300 and £600, depending on your specific circumstances.
This is because the amount included a “Pensioner Cost of Living Payment” – between £150 and £300.
This year, it will be worth £200 for eligible households or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.
That means you could receive up to £300 in free cash depending on your circumstances.
Most payments are made automatically in November or December.
You’ll get a letter telling you:
- How much you’ll get
- Which bank account it will be paid into
If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 29, 2025, you must contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.
You’ll know when you’ve been paid once you see a payment with a reference that contains your National Insurance number plus “DWP WFP”.
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