TEN million pensioners face losing the Winter Fuel Payment – if you are one of them call our team of experts TODAY.

We want to help the thousands of pensioners who are worrying about paying their energy bills with tips and advice. And we want to help determine if they may be in line for Pension Credit.

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Our Winter Fuel SOS Crew, including energy experts and consumer champions, are available today to answer your questions from 7am to 7pm, or you can email.

You can even contact on behalf of pension-age friends with their permission.

PENSIONS Minister Emma Reynolds has backed our Winter Fuel SOS campaign to help thousands of older people with their bills and heating costs this winter.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in July that only households in England and Wales that receive Pension Credit or certain means-tested benefits will be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment this year.

Previously it was available to everyone aged over 66.

Charity Age UK yesterday published an impact assessment that showed 800,000 hard-up pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit and will now also lose the Winter Fuel Payment. Many wrongly believe they aren’t entitled to it.

Backing our campaign to help older people register for Pension Credit, Emma Reynolds said: “It is vital we make sure that pensioners know about all the support they are entitled to.

Not only does Pension Credit top up income, it also opens up further support

Emma Reynolds

“Our drive to boost Pension Credit take-up has already seen a 152 per cent increase in claims and Sun readers can help spread the word.

“If you have a friend, neighbour or relative who is a pensioner and on a low income, telling them about Pension Credit could boost their income by an average of £3,900.

“Not only does Pension Credit top up income, it also opens up further support, such as the Winter Fuel Payment.”

Pension Credit can be back-dated by three months, which means the last date to claim and still get the Winter Fuel Payment is December 21.

As our Winter Fuel SOS experts take your calls, here we bust some Pension Credit myths.

What is Pension Credit?

If you are over state pension age Pension Credit tops up your retirement income to a minimum of £218.15 per week if you are single and £332.95 for couples. It also opens up access to other benefits.

I have savings and own a home, can I still get it?

You can still be eligible. You may even get help towards interest payments on your mortgage. How much you get depends on your income and savings.

Is there any point if I will only get a small amount?

Yes. If you get any amount of Pension Credit you may also be able to get help with other costs including Housing Benefit if you rent, a free TV licence if you’re over 75, help with your heating costs and more.

My mum has a severe disability, is there any additional help for her?

Yes, those with a severe disability could get an extra £81.50 a week if they get any of the following:

• Attendance Allowance.
• Armed Forces Independence Payment.
• The middle or highest rate from the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
• The daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
• The daily living component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.

I am a carer for my grandchild, is there any additional help for me?

Yes, if you’re a carer you could get an extra £45.60 if you get Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment.

And, if you and your partner have both claimed or are getting Carer’s Allowance, you can both get this extra amount.

I was turned down for Pension Credit before, is it worth claiming again?

Definitely, especially if your circumstances have changed.

Is there a way of estimating how much I could get?

There is a Pension Credit calculator at gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator to help you work out how much you could be eligible for before applying.

Alternatively, you can contact the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 046 if you’re not sure whether you’re eligible for extra amounts.

OK, so how can I apply and is it complicated?

Claiming is straightforward. You can do it:

• Online at gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.
• Over the phone by calling 0800 99 1234.
• By printing out and filling in a paper application form.

And if you need some extra support, a friend or voluntary organisation such as Age UK can help you make a claim.

ALDI has revealed the exact date its wooden toy range will hit stores just in time for Christmas.

Prices start from just £2.99 for the supermarket giant’s sell out range which includes more than 50 products.

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The German retailer’s range varies widely and includes items such as Wooden 2D Wheeled Animals and a Wooden Climbing Triangle and Cube.

Other gift ideas include a brand new Wooden Horse Box and a Beauty Station to let your child’s imagination run wild, both retailing for £24.99 each.

Shoppers will have to act fast, however, as the range sold-out when it was released last year.

The chain also laid out its top 10 wooden toys as gifts to “help mum, dad, and Santa’s little helper with what to choose.”

The list included, in no particular order:

• Wooden Kettle, Coffee & Hot Chocolate Maker 
• Wooden Kitchen Sets 
• Double Sided Easel 
• Wooden Climbing Arch and Slide 
• Wooden Toy Kitchen 
• Wooden Birthday Cake 
• Wooden Cupcakes and Doughnuts Assortment 
• Wooden Tabletop Assortment 
• Toy Roleplay Bags 
• Wooden Grocery Sets 

The discount retailer chain is also bringing back the wooden Cuthbert which previously caused a stir with M&S fans.

In 2021 M&S lodged an infringement claim against Aldi arguing the chocolate cake was too similar to its classic Colin the Caterpillar which has been around for 30 years with an unchanged design.

But Cuthbert returned to shelves in February 2022 after the two supermarkets called a truce in an agreed settlement. 

Aldi claims this years range of wooden toys is its “biggest ever” and that shoppers can expect the “same great value” as 2023’s set.

This comes as rival Lidl announced its own range of wooden toys.

Its set of products are expected to arrive in stores across the UK from October 17 with Aldi’s range available from October 10.

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How to save money at Aldi

Unlike other major supermarkets, 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.

MILLIONS of people claiming the Personal Independence Payout (PIP) benefit are eligible for extra freebies and discounts.

Those who claim PIP for help with long-term health conditions and disabilities could be missing out on extra advantages which come with the benefit.

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PIP is an important benefit for adults aged 16 and over who have not reached state pension age (66) and is made up of two parts.

One is to help with day-to-day tasks and the other is to help with mobility for those who need help getting around.

And whether you are able to claim both depends on your disability and how it affects you.

The amount you can get within these brackets also differs depending on your individual circumstance.

Payments are issued every four weeks.

In April, payments for the daily living component increased from £101.75 to £108.55 for enhanced and £68.10 to £72.65 for standard.

The mobility component also rose from £71 to £75.75 for enhanced, and £26.09 to £28.70 for standard.

If you get both parts, you can receive a maximum of £184.30 every 4 weeks – which is nearly £10,000 a year.

Eligible applicants must have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years, and currently living in one of these countries.

Whereas the process is different if you’re from Northern Ireland, you live abroad, or you’re not a British citizen.

Health professionals assess the claimant to work out the level of financial help needed to support the mental or physical disability.

Then payments are made every four weeks into the individual’s bank account, tax-free.

Here are 10 freebies you can also get if you claim the PIP benefit. It could be worth thousands of pounds extra a year, but of course the exact amount can vary depending on your circumstances.

Council tax discounts – £2,171 average

People who claim benefits can apply on the Government website for a council tax reduction.

This means if you’re either the daily living or mobility part of PIP you could get money off your council tax bill.

Some claimants are eligible for as much as a full discount.

Though the amount will vary depending on where you live and how much of the benefit you receive.

The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England for the 2024/25 financial year is £2,171 – meaning this much could be saved if you got a full discount.

In order to find out if you are eligible, contact your local authority, and they will seek a PIP letter as evidence.

Reportedly around 2.8 million people don’t take advantage of the council tax discount, meaning £2.7 billion goes unclaimed each year.

Blue badge – £3,800 average

With a blue badge, those with disabilities can claim exemption from certain parking restrictions and take advantage of designated parking spaces.

The spaces usually offer more room to the individual and are located closer to store entrances.

Blue badge holders can park on single or double lines for up to three hours as long as there are no loading or unloading restrictions.

They can also get free or discounted on-street parking.

According to Just Park, Brits spend £3,800 on parking on average each year.

Which means PIP claimants could be saving this much with their blue badge.

The blue badge must be visible to others and displayed on the windscreen of your car.

Those who qualify for a blue badge receive one of the following benefits:

• Disability living allowance
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• Received a lump sum payment as part of the Armed Forces compensation scheme (tariffs 1 to 8)

Anyone with a limited ability to walk, a disability in their arms, or who are registered blind are eligible for the badge.

To apply, you must submit PIP evidence to your council – however they usually charge a fee up to £10.

Benefit boost – £7,334.40

Individuals on PIP as well as one of a number of other benefits can claim a premium – which is an extra benefit top up.

You can claim a boost if you’re receiving one of the following alongside PIP:

• Housing Benefit
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income Support
• Working Tax Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance – but only if you get the PIP daily living component
• Pension Credit – but only if you get the PIP daily living component

If eligible, you could get either:

• £39.85 a week for a single person (disability premium)
• £56.80 a week for a couple (disability premium)
• £76.40 a week for a single person (severe disability premium)
• £152.80 a week if you’re in a couple and are both eligible (severe disability premium)
• £19.55 a week for a single person (enhanced disability premium)
• £27.90 a week if you’re in a couple and at least one of you is eligible (enhanced disability premium)

This means with the maximum amount, you could claim up to £7,945.60 annually.

The top up can happen automatically – or, if you haven’t received it when you should have, you should get in touch with the department in charge of handling your benefits.

This will either be HMRC or the Department for Work and Pensions, and they will likely ask for proof of your PIP letter.

Go to Gov.uk and use the Benefits Calculator to check your eligibility.

Capped water bills – £1,053

If you are claiming PIP, you could also benefit from a water bill cap thanks to the WaterSure scheme.

This means your bill could be capped, so you’re paying less than others in your area.

Claimants must be on a water meter or be waiting to have one installed, and they should also be able to prove that their disability causes them to use more water than an average household.

According to WaterSure, the average water bill a household pays annually is currently £471.

This means your bill will be capped at this amount if you are claiming PIP.

However, according to Martin Lewis, one person was refunded £1,053 through the scheme.

This scheme applies to households in England only, and they should apply by contacting their water supplier via its phone line or website.

Vehicle tax reduction – £1,177.50

Vehicle tax is the same as road tax – it is the price you pay to drive on the roads.

People who claim the standard mobility component of PIP can get up to a 50% reduction in vehicle tax.

You can also get 100% off if you’re on the enhanced rate mobility component.

In some cases vehicle tax can hit prices of as high as £2,355 a year, so the reduction could be as much as £1,177.50 for PIP claimants.

This is not always the case, and the amount could likely be lower.

To be eligible, applicants must be registering the vehicle in their own name or the name of their nominated driver.

They must also provide:

• A letter or statement from DWP that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it
• The vehicle log book (V5C)
• A V10 form
• An original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)
• A cheque or payable order (made out to “DVLA, Swansea”) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle

Paperwork should then be sent to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BF.

Motability Scheme – £23,760

The Motability Scheme is designed to allow PIP claimants to lease a car for their specific needs.

There are over 2,000 cars to choose from and insurance, tax and servicing are all sorted within the lease.

This is for people on the higher rate of the mobility component on PIP, and who also have at least 12 months remaining on their allowance.

Car rental costs around £66 a day on average in London, which could typically amount to a whopping £23,760 over the year – a considerable save.

Go to motability.co.uk for information on how to apply.

Free prescriptions – £115.80

If you are claiming PIP and have a certain qualifying illness, you could get your NHS prescriptions for free.

The prescription charge is £9.65 which means you could save £115.80 a year.

The full list of disabilities are available on the NHS website, and include cancer diabetes and epilsepsy.

Claimants must provide a medical exemption ticket (MedEx) which you can get online if you ask your GP for a signed FP92A form.

Disabled person’s railcard – £113

According to National Rail, adults with a disability can get a third off of travel with a Disabled Persons Railcard.

This means you could claim an average annual savings of up to £113, says the group.

With your PIP award letter, you can apply on National Rail’s website.

Discounted days out – £144

Many attractions offer discounted prices to those who can show they are on PIP or have a blue badge.

National Trust and English Heritage offer free entry to a person and their carer through the Essential Compassion Card.

An annual pass for these sites usually costs £72 a year, meaning you could save a combined £144 with your carer also entering free.

Discounts can also extend to cinema, theatre and art gallery visits, as well as the additional bonus of reduced bus and train travel.

To browse which discounts you can get, disability charity Scope offer a useful summary of what’s on offer.

Disabled facilities grant – £30,000

PIP provides useful evidence for those wishing to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant.

This is a grant which allows you to rework your home to suit the needs of your disability.

For example, bar handles for bathrooms or ramps for wheelchair access.

People in England can get a grant up to £30,000, while those in Wales can get £26,000, and Northern Ireland £25,000.

This grant scheme does not include Scotland.

This is the general maximum, and could be much less depending on your circumstance.

Gov.uk specifies that in specific cases the grant could be even higher, based on the cost of the work on the property.

The grant can be acquired through your local council, so you should go to their website to find out how to apply.

How do I apply for PIP?

You can make a new PIP claim by calling the Department for Work and Pensions on 0800 917 2222.

There are also other ways to claim if you find it difficult to use a telephone. See Gov.UK for more information.

When you claim, you’ll need:

• Your contact details
• Date of birth
• National Insurance number
• Bank or building society account number and sort code
• Your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
• Dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital

Someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

You’ll then be sent a form to fill in, after which you’ll be invited for an assessment or your health or social care worker will be asked for information.

After this, you’ll be sent a letter telling you if your claim has been successful.

You can find out more on the government’s website.

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

WETHERSPOONS has confirmed the closure of more of their pubs including an iconic “stunning” venue.

The popular pub chain has closed locations across the UK, including Stafford, London, Halifax and Penarth.

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The Geroge, Wanstead Wetherspoons is set to pull down their shutters for good on October 13.

Punters took to social media to express their frustrations over the closure of another popular branch.

One user wrote: “That’s sad.”

“My local. A very popular pub,” another commented.

The George had been a favourite among locals, who often left glowing reviews about the pub.

“Good service, competitively priced drinks and tasty food,” a user said.

Another added: “Excellent staff and well-kept beer at low prices.”

It comes after the Wetherspoons revealed that five pubs had been put up for sale, four of which are already under offer.

The Ivor Davies in Cardiff is up for sale, while the four pubs under offer are the Sir Daniel Arms in Swindon, the Hain Line in St Ives, the Foot of the Walk in Leith and the Quay in Poole

Under offer may mean that a bid is being considered or has been accepted.

But as the sale has not been finalised the pub remains on the market

Wetherspoons regularly reviews the branches it has up for sale and has often taken venues off the market to continue operating as part of the pub chain.

In its annual report published today, the pub giant said the disposal of the 27 pubs it has closed gave rise to a cash inflow of £8.9 million.

Wetherspoons has sold the freehold of premises it owned outright and returned others to their landlords.

The pub sites sold may reopen to welcome drinkers under their new owners.

Landlords could also find new tenants, so Wetherspoons’ departure doesn’t necessarily mean the loss of a pub for locals.

The sites closed are:

• The Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh – sold
• Widow Frost, Mansfield – sold
• General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton – sold
• Butler’s Bell, Stafford – sold
• Coronet, Holloway Road, London – sold
• White Hart, Todmorden – sold
• Asparagus, Battersea – sold
• Mock Beggar Hall, Moreton – sold
• Sir Norman Rae, Shipley – sold
• Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham – sold
• Market Cross, Holywell – sold
• The Cross Keys, Peebles – sold
• The Regent, Kirkby in Ashfield – sold
• An Geata Arundel, Waterford – sold
• Jolly Sailor, Hanham – sold
• Millers Well, Purley, Halifax – sold
• The London & Rye in Rushey Green, Catford – sold
• Bankers Draft, Eltham – returned to landlord
• Sir John Arderne, Newark – returned to landlord
• Night Jar, Ferndown – returned to landlord
• Moon and Bell, Loughborough – returned to landlord
• Capitol, Forest Hill – returned to landlord
• Hart and Spool, Borehamwood – returned to landlord
• Alfred Herring, Palmers Green – returned to landlord
• Tichenham Inn, Ickenham – returned to landlord
• Bears Head, Penarth – returned to landlord

Wetherspoons has also opened two new sites in the last 12 months – The Captain Flinders near Euston Station and the Star Light at Heathrow Airport, and The Grand Assembly in Marlow.

Several sites have also been expanded including the Red Lion,
Skegness; the Talk of the Town, Paignton; the Albany Palace, Trowbridge and the Mile Castle, Newcastle.

It follows Wetherspoons being sued for more than £200,000 after a drinker fell to his death from a second-floor window.

And the popular pub chain’s 12-day beer festival will be back with a bang tomorrow with some ales selling for less than £2 a pint.

A RESTAURANT dubbed one of “Britain’s best” has announced it’s closing down, sparking cries from “gutted” fans.

The Swansea venue is owned by couple April and Chris Napier who featured on BBC’s Britain’s Top Takeaways in 2022, representing their previous venture.

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Their current restaurant, Bangkok, is now set to close at the start of next month to the disappointment of many fans.

Diners were heartbroken at the news and took to social media to express their sadness.

Under the restaurant’s announcement on Facebook, one user said: “Such a shame.

“It was lovely watching you guys grow.”

Another added: “Gutted, to see you close always lovely food and fantastic service.”

Other commenters expressed how “sad” they were at the announcement and for the loss of the “amazing food” it provides.

Many even tagged their friends and family in the hope to visit the restaurant “one last time” before it shuts for goods.

The restaurant made its closure announcement on Facebook yesterday.

The post read: “It is with a heavy heart and this may come as a shock that we announce the closing of our restaurant.

“As much as we have loved serving you over the years (5 years in the takeaway and 2 years in the restaurant), we have made the difficult decision to step away as we have sacrificed a lot of family times and now we would love to focus on our family/work life balance.

“Thank you so much for your incredible support to our little family business and for being a part of our journey.

“We can honestly say we’ve made lots of great memories and achieved so much during the years as well as some customers that we’ve come to be friends with.

“These will be treasured forever.”

The restaurant’s final day of service will be on Sunday November 3.

However, the venue confirmed that this is “not the end” for the Thai food joint.

It said it plans to return with pop-ups in the “near future”.

The restaurant added: “[We] can’t wait to share more meals and moments with you.”