Worried about staying warm?

If you worry about winter or are struggling to pay your household bills or have a cold home.

Citizens Advice have recently received additional funding which allows them to provide clients with financial support towards their energy costs.

If you feel you would benefit from a conversation with their energy team for help towards an energy bill, credit for a prepayment meter, oil, LPG, logs or coal then please pass on our contact details or complete an online referral form.

There is free help available across North Yorkshire.  For any concerns about staying warm and well this winter, please telephone: 01609 767 555
or visit: www.warmandwell.org.uk

CAB Warm & Well Referrals

Over 750,000 eligible citizens are missing out on Pension Credits

Let us help you get what is due to you….

If you’re retired and have income less than £230 a week as an individual, or £350 a week as a couple.  If you have been paying into the system and are not claiming your Pension Credit – you could be missing-out on around £2,100 a year, on average. Plus, it entitles you to a whole raft of other benefits.

Alas, £1.6 billion of pension credit is unclaimed by over 750,000 eligible pensioners. Here’s how to check if you qualify and how to claim.

Pension Credit has a superpower… it’s a gateway to FREE TV licences and MUCH MORE..

If you claim the main part of Pension Credit, you can get discounts on other bills, such as a council tax reduction (worth about £1,000 a year typically), and the Warm Home Discount (worth £150 a year).  Here are the broad rules:

It takes minutes to check if you qualify, so don’t miss out and call straight away. The exact rules of who can get Pension Credit are complex, but there is a simple rule of thumb for those of state pension age (currently 66 or older):

– If your total income is under £230 a week (£350 for a couple who are both pensioners), you’re likely to get pension credit, as this is the level of the full state pension it is designed to top up.

– If your total income is under £245 a week (£365 for a couple who are both pensioners), there’s a chance you will get pension credit, it depends on circumstances. There’s a higher threshold if you claim certain disability benefits or have caring responsibilities, so if this is you it’s worth checking.

To quickly check if you’re eligible, you can use the Government’s free Pension Credit calculator, or call the free helpline on 0800 99 1234.

We can help – drop in any time

Here at the MCO we think it’s a tragedy that so many of you are not getting back some of what you have paid into all your lives. If you are struggling with accessing this information or want someone to hand hold you through the application, then why not drop in – we are open 10am – 3pm Mon-Fri.  We can put you in touch with the local Citizens Advice if you need further help.

*Figures are taken from www.Gov.UK and are correct at time of going to press

Are you eligible for Attendance Allowance?

The North Yorkshire Local Assistance Fund

The North Yorkshire Local Assistance Fund provides support for vulnerable adults and families who find themselves under exceptional pressure.

Awards of help are made in the form of goods, not cash. These include things like

• • essential items of household furniture and equipment
  • beds and bedding
  • food vouchers
  • clothing vouchers
  • utility top-ups
    Plus other essential items.

The Fund operates through a network of ‘Authorised Agents’ who can advise on eligibility and will discuss your needs and talk about the kind of support they may be able to help you access. We are not an “authorised agent” but we can signpost you to one in our area.

More About the Local Assistance Fund

The Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund was set up by the government to help people who are struggling with the increase in living costs and feeling the financial pressure of paying their bills.

In North Yorkshire, we have had a directly awarded e-voucher payment to people who are eligible. We can advise on how to redeem vouchers and print them for you.

The edibility criteria for the fund is quite complex and changes regularly. If you would like to explore your eligibility for future rounds of awards, you will need expert advice. Or if would like to check your entitlement to additional support across the board, expert advice from the Citizens Advice is available and you can make an appointment to see them at Mashamshire Community Hub.

If you would like to explore online information about benefits for yourself, try Turn2Us.

Read More About Citizens Advice

Warm Welcome Spaces

Mashamshire Community Hub and Library is a local Warm Welcome Space. Volunteers in the library will be pleased to see you. You will be able to sit down and read a book, use the computers, or find out what is happening in Masham. You can call into our library anytime between 10:00am – 3:00pm Monday to Saturday.

More About Warm Welcome Spaces in Masham

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help you with heating costs during the colder months. You must have reached State Pension age to be eligible.

What is the Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment for households that include someone over state pension age.

If you have over £35,000 of taxable (gross) income per year, the payment you receive will be taken back via the tax system later.

The Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help you cover your heating costs over the winter months.

Eligibility?
You are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment in 2025-26 if:

• you were born on or before 21 September 1959
• you are living in England or for the qualifying week of 15 to 21 September 2025.

How much Winter Fuel Payment could I get?

If you or your partner are over State Pension age, you could receive £200 towards your bills or £300 if you are both over 80.

If you or your partner receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income related Employment and Support Allowance, one person will be paid the whole Winter Fuel Payment for the household.

If you and your partner do not receive one of these benefits the payment is split between you and the other qualifying person you live with.

Here’s a quick guide to how much your HH should receive based on your age and the age of your partner.

1 Person HH – Aged 80+ = £300
1 Person HH – Aged under 80 = £200
2 People HH – Both 80+ -=£300
2 Person HH – 1 under 80 = £200

How do I claim Winter Fuel Payment

Payments are automatic you do not need to do anything.

If you have not received your Winter Fuel Payment by January 2026, you can make a claim before 31 March 2026. Contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160.

When will winter fuel payments be paid?

If you’re eligible, the Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 will be paid directly into your account between November and December 2025.

Can I opt out of receiving the Winter Fuel Payment?
Yes, you can opt out before 15 September 2025.
Contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 or online at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim to say you do not want to receive a Winter Fuel Payment.

If you change your mind later, you can still make a claim by 31 March 2026.

You might prefer to receive the payment rather than opting out, in case you need help with your bills during the colder months. If your income is over £35,000 by the end of the financial year, the payment can be recovered through the tax system.

Further information on Winter Fuel Payment can be obtained from AgeUK