Some pensioners will need to apply for their stake of Winter Fuel Payments (Image: GETTY)
Tens of thousands of Brits can now apply for their by post if they don’t claim Pension Credit, depending on their location.
As winter looms, many Brits are not anticipating receiving their usual automatic of between £200 to £300 due to Labour cutbacks.
This significant shortfall has some frantically trying to gather their pennies to cover the deficit – yet others have been warned they could miss out on the money despite being eligible if they don’t apply promptly.
Brits residing overseas don’t receive the payment automatically and need to apply for it by completing a form and using the ‘s phone service from October 28, with postal applications opening on Monday.
The deadline for them to claim for this winter season is 31 March 2025.
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These recipients don’t need to be claiming Pension Credit to receive their Winter Fuel Payments, a new contentious eligibility criteria set for those living in the UK. This is because Pension Credit can’t be claimed by those living abroad permanently.
Instead, there are other eligibility requirements they must meet such as being over the UK age, receiving a benefit from the UK like and getting a benefit from the country they reside in equivalent to Pension Credit, Universal Credit or any of the legacy benefits except for Housing Benefit.
They must be residing in an eligible EEA country or Switzerland and have relocated there before December 31, 2020 so they are protected by the EU Withdrawal Agreement.
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Eligible countries include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.The number of people who can claim is hard to say exactly. But as an illustration, there are thought to be around 100,000 Brit expats living in Ireland alone.
Finally, claimants must still maintain a strong connection to the UK such as having previously lived or worked there or having family there.
The necessary forms to apply for can be found on the official and claimants will need to provide some details such as National Insurance numbers, bank account details and information about any recent hospital or care home stays.