Urgent pension credit warning as thousands have just hours left to claim £300

THERE are just hours to claim this year’s Winter Fuel Payment - or face missing out on extra financial help this winter.

The fuel payment is part of the overall Pension Credit, which is paid to around 1.4 million people in the UK.

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While there is no deadline to sign up for Pension Credit, eligible people must apply by 21 December to qualify for winter fuel payments for this winter.

If you apply after this date, you won’t get help with your bills until next winter.

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

Previously it was available to everyone aged over 66.

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Now, if you were born before 23 September 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025 - as long as you’re eligible.

If you already receive Pension Credit, or other benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, you will get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically.

But many people who could claim Pension Credit do not, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that up to £2.1 billion in Pension Credit goes unclaimed each year.

You can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.

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You can also apply any time after you reach state pension age but your application can only be backdated by three months.

This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “As the cold 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.

“If you are on a low income and wondering if you may be eligible for Pension Credit, please look at the Benefits Checker on Age UK’s website, or the one on the Government’s website, to find out.  

“Don’t assume that if you are a homeowner or have some savings you are automatically disqualified because that’s not how Pension Credit works. 

“And don't be put off from claiming because of worries filling in the form, Age UK can help you to complete it.”

CAN YOU CLAIM PENSION CREDIT?

It is worth checking whether you are eligible before you apply, and you can do that on the government’s website.

Eligibility depends on your age and your income.

If you can claim Pension Credit, you can then apply online.

You’ll need your National Insurance number, information about any income, savings and investments you have, and information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to.

You’ll also need the same information for your partner if you have one.

Depending on how you apply, you may also be asked for your bank or building society name, sort code and account number.

Then you can apply online via the government website here.

Or you can apply by phone by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

A friend or family member can call for you if you cannot use the phone.

Alternatively, you can apply by post by printing out and filling in the Pension Credit claim form or calling the claim line to request a form.

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You can then send the claim form to the Pension Service at Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3, or ask someone to do it for you.
You do not need a postcode or a stamp.

In October, The Sun launched our Winter Fuel SOS campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the help available to older people and those on lower incomes over the winter.