More Money in Your Pocket

The recent changes mean the Winter Fuel Allowance will now be restricted to only those on Pension Credit or other low-income benefits. Despite this, we're committed to making sure all our pensioners in need have the help they need to stay warm and well this winter.

We're using the Household Support Fund, funded by the UK Government, to provide crucial aid to those who may not qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance. We're making sure no one is left without the help they need during the colder months.

You'll find details of these initiatives, including details on drop-in sessions and other available support on this page.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you're over the state pension age and on a low income. It can also give you access to a range of other benefits. This can include helping with housing costs, winter fuel payment, Council Tax, heating bills, prescriptions, and for those 75 or over - a free TV licence.

Although take up of Pension Credit is high, many people are missing out.

If you aren’t sure if you qualify then we have a free and easy to use calculator below. If you need help with the forms to apply we also have drop in sessions available.

Apply for pension Credit on the GOV.UK website. Alternatively you can print the form to complete.

Benefits calculator

If you're not sure if you qualify for Pension Credit or other benefits then you can complete our quick and simple benefits calculator. This will give you an indication of what you may be eligible for and how to apply for it.

If you need help completing this you can visit one of our drop in sessions listed on this page, where you can get help to complete the forms.

Pension Credit drop in sessions

The current drop in sessions are below. This list will keep being updated so please keep checking back for more dates:

Date Time Location
Tuesday 15 October 2024 10am to 3pm Library @ Mapplewell
Wednesday 16 October 9am to 5pm Library @ Cudworth
Thursday 17 October 9.30am to 12pm Community Shop on The Go @ Darfield All Saints Church, S73 9JX
Friday 18 October 9.30am to 12pm Community Shop on The Go @ Station House, Lidget Lane, Thurnscoe, S63 0BX
Tuesday 22 October 9.30am to 12pm Community Shop on the Go @ Penistone Church FC Car Park, Church View Road, S36 6AT
Wednesday 23 October 2024 9am to 5pm Library @ Royston
Thursday 24 October 9.30am to 12pm Community Shop on the Go @ Grimethorpe Acorn Centre, High Street, Grimethorpe, S72 7BB
Friday 25 October 2024 9.30am to 2pm Community Shop, High Street, Hoyland, Barnsley, S74 9AB
Friday 1 November 2024  10am to 5pm Library @ Dodworth
Wednesday 6 November 2024 9am to 5pm The Acorn Centre, High Street, Goldthorpe, S72 7BB
Friday 8 November 2024 9.30am to 2pm Community Shop, Lindhurst Road, Athersley North, Barnsley, S71 3DQ
Friday 15 November 2024 9am to 5pm Library @ Hoyland
Wednesday 27 November 2024 9am to 11.45am Library @ Penistone
Friday 29 November 2024 8.30am to 2pm Barnsley indoor market, Barnsley town centre, S70 1GW
Friday 29 November 9.30am to 2pm Community Shop, 40-42 Barnsley Road, Goldthorpe, Rotherham, S63 9NE
Friday 29 November 2024 9am to 5pm Library @ Roundhouse
Friday 13 December 10am to 5pm Library @ Thurnscoe
Friday 10 January 9am to 5pm Library @ Wombwell
Friday 17 January 2025 10am to 5pm Library @ Worsbrough

 

Other winter support

While we know many pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit, there are also people who aren't eligible for that benefit and need help this winter. If that's the case we have other support available for you this winter.

Welcoming Spaces

A Barnsley Welcoming Space is somewhere that's open to all where you can expect a warm and friendly welcome. We have Welcoming Spaces across the borough, funded by the Household Support Fund which is provided by the UK Government.

For full details of all the spaces that are available across Barnsley please visit the Warm Welcome Spaces website.

If you're currently running a Welcoming Space and you haven’t registered it yet, you can register at any time. Please visit the Warm Welcome Spaces website to register your space and let people know you're there.

As well as these Welcoming Spaces, Barnsley Museums and Barnsley Libraries are available for anyone to drop into when needed as warm and safe space. They're also running lots of different events and activities during this winter, which you can attend.

Warm Homes team

We know this winter will be difficult for many people, and our Warm Homes team are here to help.

If you’re worried about paying your energy bills or struggling to keep your home warm, we can help by advising you on making your home warmer and cheaper to run.

We can provide:

  • Advice on how to improve your home with energy-saving measures.
  • Assistance with applications for grants for heating and insulation.
  • Information and signposting to other services including DIAL’s warm connections, Citizens Advice, Age UK and the Green Doctors.

For more details, visit our warm homes webpage. You can get in touch with us by calling (01226) 773366 or emailing warmhomes@barnsley.gov.uk.

Warm Home Discount

You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2024 to 2025 under the Warm Home Discount scheme.

The money isn't paid to you - it’s a one-off discount applied to your electricity bill between early October 2024 and 31 March 2025.

You should get the discount automatically if you’re eligible. If you may be eligible, you’ll get a letter by early January 2025. If you don't get a letter and you think you’re eligible, please contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme before 1 March 2025.

Cold Weather Payment

You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI).

You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below seven days in a row.

You’ll get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025.