MILLIONS of households are no longer eligible for this year’s winter fuel payments.

However, hundreds of thousands of households could secure the cash if they launch a claim for pension credit before the December deadline.

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In the past, winter fuel payments worth up to £300 were available to everyone aged 66 and above.

However, after Labour’s election victory, Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced cuts limiting winter fuel payment eligibility to those on pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

To be eligible for this year’s 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, 800,000 households are thought to be missing out on pension credit, which unlocks their eligibility for this year’s winter fuel payment.

As new claims for pension credit can be backdated by up to three months, you can still apply now and qualify for this year’s winter fuel payment.

The absolute deadline to claim the benefit and qualify is December 21.

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.

What if my income is higher?

If your income is slightly higher than the following rates, you might still be eligible for pension credit:

• Single: £218 a week
• Couple: £333 a week

For example, single applicants might still be eligible if their weekly income is under £235.

And those in couples may still get it if they earn under £350 a week.

Those with disabilities, who care for someone, or who get help with their housing costs could still qualify.

For example, if you claim attendance allowance, the threshold at which you can qualify for pension credit rises by £82 a week.

The benefit is open to people over state pension age who need help with personal care due to a physical or mental disability.

The income you receive through attendance allowance is not counted towards your eligibility for pension credit.

If you claim carer’s allowance, the threshold at which you can qualify for pension credit also rises by £46 a week.

Those who receive help with their housing costs could also still be eligible for pension credit even if they breach the earnings thresholds.

For example, you could get an extra amount to cover your housing costs, such as:

• Ground rent if your property is a leasehold
• Some service charges
• Charges for tents and site rents

The exact amount you could get depends on your housing costs.

However, if you’re found to be eligible for pension credit, it could unlock your ability to qualify for the following extra support:

• Council tax reduction
• Housing benefit if you rent the property you live in
• Support for mortgage interest if you own the property you live in

What about savings?

If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments, this will not affect your eligibility for pension credit.

If you have more than £10,000, 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.

MARTIN Lewis has revealed how you can stop your energy bills from rising next week and whether they will go up or down in 2025.

The consumer champion featured as a co-host on ITV‘s Good Morning Britain yesterday morning.

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And the MoneySavingExpert.com website founder used his platform to reveal how households can save money on their energy bills from October 1 when the new price comes into effect.

The new price cap, which affects about 28million households, will see the average family’s bill rise to £1,717 from £1,568 a year – a £149 hike.

But, Martin said, you can beat the hike by locking in a fixed-rate energy deal which is lower than the price cap.

Responding to a viewer question on whether they should lock in a fixed tariff with Octopus Energy for 15 months, he replied that it could save them money.

He explained this is because wholesale energy costs, which is what energy firms are charged, are falling so there are fixed deals on the market cheaper than the price cap, which was decided in August.

“Energy is going up (in price), it’s not going down,” he said.

“It’s going up on the first of October. It’s likely to come down a tiny bit in January but still be a lot more than it is now.

He added: “Bizarrely, energy prices are going up if you’re on the price cap, but the cheapest rates available if you are going to switch (and fix) are coming down.”

The consumer champion went on to reveal some of the best fixed deals currently on the market will be up to 9.4% cheaper than the new price cap coming into effect on October 1.

The advice came as he revealed what is predicted to happen to energy prices from 2025 based on wholesale costs.

The consumer champion said while energy bills are expected to rise by around 10% from next week, they will fall by 2% in January then a further 1% in April, based on predictions from EDF.

Bear in mind though that these are just predictions for what will happen to energy prices and aren’t guaranteed.

How to get help with energy bills

Locking in a fixed-rate energy deal ahead of prices rising next week is one way to cut the cost of energy.

There is a host of help on offer to cover costs over the colder months, including the Winter Fuel Payment and Warm Home Discount.

Both schemes are means-tested though, which means you will have to be on certain benefits to qualify.

But, in total, they are worth up to £450 which could massively help.

If you are struggling to cover the cost of your energy bills or have fallen into arrears, you might be able to get a free grant.

British Gas, ScottishPower, EDF and Utilita all have schemes offering customers up to £2,000.

You also might be eligible for help with energy bills via the Household Support Fund (HSF) which is worth £421million.

The new round will run from October until March next year, but many councils are yet to announce what type of help will be on offer.

However, in previous rounds, local authorities have given households in need energy vouchers, supermarket vouchers and free cash.

Contact your local council, which you can find using the Government’s online council locator tool, to find out what help is on offer.

It’s worth checking if your energy firm has any targeted support on offer based on your circumstances too.

For example, Octopus Energy is handing out 20,000 electric blankets to customers in need this winter.

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

As financial planners, much of our time is spent explaining the different tax implications of decisions clients may make, alongside changing allowances, and putting together effective financial jigsaws to meet their objectives.

We all want to make sensible use of tax-free allowances, such as Isas and pensions, while controlling the capital gains tax we pay and, ultimately, the inheritance tax our beneficiaries may pay.

However, while many seek reassurance they’ll have enough money for the rest of their lives, there are some who already know they will. These people may have a different relationship with tax.

I’m afraid the findings are incriminating – never has there been such a clear bias within an industry

There is a movement developing to address systemic inequality, focusing on who holds wealth, how it was accumulated and how it is used.

I’ve recently been introduced to some fascinating organisations leading this charge, including Patriotic Millionaires UK and the Good Ancestor Movement, from which the Progressive Advisors’ Movement has developed.

As a financial planner specialising in what our firm calls ‘thoughtful investment’, not only was I personally interested in the work of these organisations, but I also believed many of our ethically-minded clients would engage with the themes.

The first major piece of work the Progressive Advisors’ Movement has undertaken is an analysis of how our financial services industry in the UK approaches tax.

Some clients see paying tax as a civic duty and a way to give back to the society that helped them succeed

The ‘language of tax’ research covers the likes of tax planners, accountants, financial advisers and investment management firms, considering these questions:

• How do we talk about tax?
• What do our websites say?
• How do we sell our services?

I’m afraid the findings are incriminating – never has there been such a clear bias within an industry.

Many talk about tax as something scary and complex that only professional advisers can navigate, which can disempower clients and potentially make them overly reliant on their advisers.

Most firms in this sector talk about tax as something to be avoided, even if it means tangling up clients’ affairs in complicated trusts or other arrangements. There’s a tendency for advisers to assume clients always want to maximise tax savings, regardless of the resulting complexity.

But not all clients want this.

More and more people – who have more than they need – are content paying tax and, in fact, prefer the simplicity of avoiding complicated family trusts and estate planning.

We all have a part to play in challenging industry assumptions, providing clients with what they want rather than what we assume they want

As advisers, our job is to listen to clients and provide services that align with both their financial and ethical goals.

This report challenges decades-old industry assumptions, reminding us that some clients – particularly those with significant wealth – see paying tax as a civic duty and a way to give back to the society that helped them succeed.

The Progressive Advisors’ Movement has helped me see the payment of tax has democratic outcomes in a way personal philanthropy does not.

Often, high-net-worth clients will also give money away. However, philanthropy is less democratic than paying tax, as the donor decides what to support and to what extent, thereby retaining the power and the recognition and status along the way (it may not be surprising to know many of our lovely clients prefer to give anonymously).

By seeking to increase the tax you pay, you are, in effect, supporting the wider civil structures that prop up society.

There is a movement developing to address systemic inequality, focusing on who holds wealth, how it was accumulated and how it is used

The Progressive Advisors’ Movement is working to drive cultural change within the professional services industry, and I’m proud to be part of a group dedicated to thinking about these issues. I am also honoured to have clients who consider not just themselves but also the broader impact their wealth has on society.

Advisers must reconsider how we approach the thorny issue of tax planning with clients, both individually and at a firm level.

This doesn’t need to be a value judgement but a reminder that a client’s objectives should be led by the client, not the adviser.  We all have a part to play in challenging industry assumptions, providing clients with what they want rather than what we assume they want and supporting the growth of a more tax proud culture in the UK.

Olivia Bowen is partner, client advice, at Castlefield

AS we head into October and the temperature drops, many of us are thinking about putting the heating on and preparing for winter.

But several key financial changes this month, including higher energy bills thanks to a new energy price cap, mean we need to keep an eye on our cash, too.

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The next 31 days are very busy from a monetary perspective, with everything from the first Labour government’s Budget – where it will announce new money and tax policies – to the last days to take advantage of supermarket Christmas savings schemes.

Fortunately, we’ve rounded up all the important deadlines you need to be aware of, as well as anything you need to do.

October 1 – Energy price cap

Every three months, energy regulator Ofgem sets its new price cap. This is the maximum that people on variable tariffs can be charged per unit of energy.

The next cap kicks in on October 1.

From that date until the end of the year, a typical household using both electricity and gas and paying by direct debit will see their energy costs rise by £149 per annum.

This is a 10% increase, which means an extra £12 added to the average monthly bill.

However, the new cap is 6% cheaper than this time last year, saving you about £117 compared to last year’s price of £1,834. 

Your bill will vary based on how much energy you use, where you live, and what kind of meter you have.

So, while the new headline cap is around £1,717, this can vary depending on whether you use more or less energy than a typical household.

You can find more details about the new price cap here, including costs per unit of energy and when to take a meter reading.

October 1 – Ofcom new rules for phone providers

Starting from October 1, new rules from the communications regulator, Ofgem, will help mobile phone users avoid surprise charges when using their phones abroad. 

The new rules require mobile providers to inform customers when they start roaming and to protect them from accidental roaming, which happens when you unintentionally connect to another country’s network while travelling near a border. 

They will also need tell you about spending caps and direct you to free information about roaming costs in your current location.

You can read more about the legislation and what it means for you in our round up here.

October 5 – deadline to register for self-assessment

If you need to do a self-assessment tax return for the first time this year, you must register by October 5. 

Reasons you might need to self-assess include if you’ve become self-employed, if your side hustle earned you more than £1,000 in a tax year, if you need to pay the high-income child benefit charge, if you’ve made money from savings and investments, or if you’ve started earning more than £150,000.

If any of these things happened to you between April 6, 2023 and April 5, 2024, then you must register.

Failure to do so may mean you cannot file your return and pay on time, which could lead to a hefty fine.

Find out exactly what you need to do and how to register in our guide. Applying is quick and easy using the Government’s online tool. 

October 7 – Fraud APP rules

Starting from this month, people who fall victim to Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams will be able to get as much as £415,000 back from their banks. 

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is now requiring financial institutions to pay back scam victims, which is a change from the previous system where reimbursement was voluntary.

The rule change has also put more onus on the banks that receive APP fraud money as they will be responsible for repaying half.

Victims need to let their banks know about the scam within 13 months and provide any information the bank needs to investigate. 

Learn more about the new rules here.

October 16 – inflation figures announced

On October 16, we find out the inflation rate for September, which is very important for a two key reasons. 

First, it helps decide how much the State Pension will go up by from April next year as part of the Government’s triple-lock promise.

The triple lock ensures the State Pension rises each year in line with inflation, average earnings of 2.5% – whichever is highest. 

Second, it affects how much benefits, like Universal Credit, and Tax Credits for working age people, will increase by from next year.

October 4 – Winter Fuel Payment phone applications open

From this date, the Winter Fuel Payment Centre will accept phone claims from people who are eligible to receive the payment for the first time.

This year, only people who claim Pension Credit and certain other benefits will be eligible, so check if you could benefit.

You can call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

October 16 – Last day for Tesco Christmas Clubcard Saver

Tesco’s Clubcard Christmas Saver lets customers save money and earn bonuses.

How much you get depends on what you save, and to get the maximum amount of £12 you need to stash away at least £200.

In November, customers will get vouchers matching the value of the money saved and any bonuses received.

These can then be used during the Christmas season, either in stores, online, or through the Tesco Grocery & Clubcard app.

You can also use them for fuel at Tesco and Esso stations with Tesco Express. 

The last day to add qualifying savings is October 17, 2024.

The Clubcard and top-up vouchers are good for 2 years, while the bonus vouchers are good for 3 months.

Find out more about supermarket saver schemes and their pitfalls here. 

October 30 – Budget (also called Autumn Statement)

On October 30, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, will give her first Budget.

This is when the government’s shares updates on its tax and spending plans – which could impact your finances.

At this time of year it would normally be called an Autumn Statement, but as it is the new government’s first, it is being called a formal Budget.

Ms Reeves has already warned that there will be tax rises, which experts speculate could include changes to inheritance tax, pensions rules, capital gains tax, and even fuel duty. 

This is to plug a £22billion “black hole” in the country’s finances, Ms Reeves has said.

You can read more about what changes are expected here. 

October 31 – deadline for paper tax returns

Around half a million people still fill in a paper tax return each year. If you’re one of them, you need to hand it in by October 31.

If you want to do an online return instead you have until January 31.

Missing both deadlines means a fine, and if you don’t pay up on time, you’ll have to pay interest and further fines.

October 31 – Last chance to buy Morrisons Christmas saver stamps

The Morrisons Christmas saver scheme gives you a bonus for the money you save.

The maximum bonus is £6 if you save £197 through the programme.

To earn the extra cash, you need to make sure your savings are in your account by October 31. 

Christmas Saver stamps bought after that date will count towards your savings for Christmas 2025.

Once you’ve saved your money and received your bonus, you’ll get a voucher that you can use to shop in-store or online.

Read more about the downfalls of saver schemes and how to avoid them here.

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

THE clock is ticking for millions of households to submit a meter reading to avoid paying over the odds for their energy use.

Bill payers have until October 1 to get an up-to-date reading before the energy price cap jumps by 10%.

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Under the changes, the average dual fuel bill paid by direct debit will jump by £149 from £1,568 to £1,717, under the cap set by industry regulator Ofgem.

It’s important to submit a meter reading as rates change to make sure all energy use up to that point is charged at the lower rate.

The exact deadline for submitting readings differs depending on your supplier and some will allow you to backdate the reading from the date it was meant to be submitted.

In some cases, you have an extra two weeks to submit a reading.

If customers don’t provide a meter reading, they will be given an estimated bill.

In this case, some of your energy usage ahead of October 1 could be charged at the new higher rate.

Giving an exact reading at the time the rates change prevents this from happening.

If you have a smart meter, you don’t need to take a reading as information is automatically sent to your supplier.

However, you should do a quick check to make sure it is working properly and reporting your usage accurately.

There’s also no need to submit a meter reading if you’re on a fixed energy tariff or have a traditional prepayment meter.

The looming price rises are a blow for struggling households after energy bills fell to a two-year low at the beginning of July.

The energy price cap is reviewed every three months and it’s important to submit a reading each time.

This stops you being overcharged or even underpaying, which could mean having to pay more further down the line.

Here are the deadlines suppliers have confirmed to The Sun for submitting meter reads as the energy price cap changes.

British Gas customers can submit their meter readings up until October 14.

This can be done through an online account, through the British Gas app, over the phone or through a form on the firm’s website.

You can call British Gas on 0330 100 0056 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

EDF customers will be able to back date their meter reads at any time up to and including Wednesday October 9.

Customers will be able to leave meter reads via the EDF App, or online via their MyAccount. Readings can also be submitted via telephone, email or by text and WhatsApp.

Octopus Energy customers have until the end of October 8 to submit their meter readings.

Meter readings can be submitted through online accounts, a form on the provider’s website, app or email.

Customers can submit their meter readings via the app, online account, phone, Whatsapp or webchat at any time. 

Scottish Power has no deadline for meter readings. Customers can update meter readings as and when they wish to provide them.

If you are on a standard variable or default tariff with Scottish Power, then the energy price cap will automatically apply.

However, if your prices need to increase as a result, there’s no need to contact them.

Scottish Power said: “We’ll write to you by letter or email to let you know what your new prices will be before the change takes place.”

HOW TO TAKE A METER READING

If you don’t your supplier a regular meter reading your bills will be based on estimated energy use.

This can mean paying more than necessary or underpaying and then having to make bigger payments later.

Taking a meter reading should only take a minute, and once you have noted down the figures you can usually give to your provider by text, online or through an app.

Look up the individual options with your own supplier.

It’s a good idea to take a quick picture of your meter reading when you submit it – just in case you need it as evidence in any disputes that arise.

Exactly how you take a meter reading depends on the type of meter you have.

Electricity meters

If you have a digital electricity meter, you will just see a row of six numbers – five in black and one in red.

Take down the five numbers in black-you don’t need the red number.

If you are on an Economy 7 or 10 tariff which gives you cheaper electricity at night – you will have two rows of numbers and need both.

If you have a traditional dial meter you will need to read the first five dials from left to right, again you don’t need the red ones.

If the pointer is between two numbers, write down the lower figure and if it is between nine and zero write down the number nine.

If the dial is directly over a number, write down that number and underline it.

If you’ve underlined a number, check the next dial to the right.

If the pointer on that dial is between nine and zero, reduce the number you’ve underlined by one.

For example, if you originally wrote down five, change it to four.

Gas meters

If you have a digital metric meter showing five numbers and then a decimal place, you only need to write down the first five numbers from left to right.

If you have a digital imperial meter, your meter will read four black numbers and two red numbers – note down the four black numbers only.

If you have a dial gas meter, follow the same steps as the dial electricity meter, but you don’t need to follow the process of underlining figures.

CHOCOLATE lovers have been left thrilled after discovering a “strange combo” hidden within a new Cadbury’s bar.

The expert chocolate makers have tried their hand at creating a bold new flavour that has got shoppers going wild online trying to hunt down the sweet treat.

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Customers have finally started getting their hands on Cadbury‘s new Dairy Milk Pink Lemonade edition which has recently hit some shelves across the globe.

Described as being the classic Dairy Milk chocolate on the outside with a “flowing raspberry lemonade flavoured centre”, the snack is sure to attract chocolate fans.

A picture of the oozing pink creme coming from the choc soon went viral online with hundreds curious as to what it tastes like.

One intrigued shopper said: “Oooh i wanna try this.”

A second said: “Need to try that.”

As a third simply said: “Yummy.”

Despite the seemingly global appeal for fresh new flavours of chocolate the pink delight is actually only available in one country so far.

Australia is the lucky nation who currently sell the Dairy Milk variation with it being seen in various stores including the iconic Woolworths.

They have the 46g bar’s flying off the shelves at the moment.

For those Brits who are interested in trying out exactly what a mixture of fizzy raspberry and smooth milk chocolate is like then the best bet is to order a bar online.

Ebay are currently advertising a bulk order of the bars online with other companies such as WorldSnacks also having them in stock for a range of different prices.

How to save money on chocolate

WE all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

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Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed on flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

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They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

More chocolate bargains

It comes as shoppers are racing to stock up on their chocolate treats for Christmas – don’t miss out.

Choccie fans were thrilled to see tubs of the nation’s favourites at amazing slashed prices in Tesco ahead of the festive period.

The mega deal starts online and in stores tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25.

Customers will need a Clubcard to bag the discount – which will see Cadbury Heroes, Celebrations, Cadbury Roses and Quality Street reduced from £6.00 to £3.95.

This means shoppers will be pocketing a 34 per cent discount on the sweet treats and saving £2.05.

Meanwhile, Asda shoppers were delighted after discovering a Cadbury chocolate advent calendar is selling for just 85p in stores.

The deal has been shared on the Extreme Couponing and Bargaining Facebook group and users are shocked by the reduced price.

It is a Cadbury Dairy milk advent calendar, containing 24 milk chocolates in various festive shapes.

On the Cadbury website, the calendar sells for £2.25, meaning this Asda bargain is 62% discounted from the original price.

Plus, B&M shoppers are rushing to buy festive chocolate treats that are perfect for kids’ Christmas Eve boxes.

The bargain retailer’s festive selection box has social media users going wild as they plan ahead for Christmas.

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