Retirees hoping to get winter fuel payments this year now have under two weeks to apply for pension credit, campaigners have warned.
This summer, the Government announced it would scrap the payments – of up to £300 – for all but the poorest pensioners.
Only those in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits, such as universal credit and income-based jobseeker’s allowance, will now get the payments.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has estimated that up to 880,000 households across the UK may be missing out on support – worth on average more than £3,900 a year – and therefore missing out on getting the payments as well.
But those who want to get winter fuel payments this year need to apply by 21 December.
You can work out if you are eligible by using the calculator on the Government website.
Who is eligible for the winter fuel payment?
You may be eligible for the winter fuel payment this winter if:
- you were born on or before 22 September, 1958
- you receive pension credit, universal credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance or income-related employment and support allowance, or an award of child tax credit or working tax credit of at least £26 for the tax year 2024-25
- you were living in England or Wales for the qualifying week, which was the third week of September (16 to 22 September 2024).
Pension credit applications can be backdated by up to three months, which means that 21 December is the final deadline to make an application and get a payment this year.
The DWP tries to make payments by 29 January.
Dennis Reed, director of the Silver Voices campaign group said: “Older people who think they might be eligible for pension credit should apply as soon as possible, and hopefully the DWP has now employed enough staff for there be a quick turnaround of applications.
“But the recent relative surge in applications will still leave about 800,000 older people who should be eligible for pension credit not receiving it, for a variety of reasons including the complexity and intrusiveness of the process.”
He added: “This is why I am urging the Government to consider a winter emergency payment to all pensioners, as is happening in Northern Ireland”.
Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell, said: “While the process can feel intimidating, it is worth doing if you think you might qualify.
“The DWP offers a useful online tool to check if you might qualify for pension credit before going through the application service, and organisations like Citizen’s Advice and Age UK can also help guide you through the process.”
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK said: “As the winter bites, it’s never been more important to check whether you’re getting all the help you’re entitled to. Winter is particularly tough for older people as they need to keep warm to stay well, which is hard to do if you have to watch every penny. We are urging any older person on a low income or who is struggling to check to see if they are eligible and to do it sooner rather than later.”
