State pensioners can claim up to £4,375 from the DWP (Image: Getty)
State pensioners who missed out on a Winter Fuel Payment can claim up to £4,375 from the () this winter.
Up until last year, the – which is worth up to £300 – was available to all pension-age households, but eligibility changes made by now mean millions of pensioners miss out.
The formerly universal benefit is now a means-tested benefit and only goes to households who are in receipt of , or any of the following:
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Universal Credit
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income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
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income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
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Income Support
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Child Tax Credit
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Working Tax Credit
The change was made to ensure the payment goes to households that need it most, but pensioners who are only just above the affordability threshold now miss out.
The number of eligible households has now dropped from around 11 million to just over one million, but there are other forms of financial support pensioners can claim to help cover heating costs this winter.
The has issued a fresh call for pensioners to apply for Pension Credit as part of Energy Savers Week, which runs until January 26.
The government said the benefit alone is worth £4,200 per year, but it also opens the door to other financial winter payments including a £150 Warm Home Discount.
Pensioners may also be eligible for Cold Weather Payments this winter, which are worth £25, so anyone that claims all three could get up to £4,375 from the .
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the government department said: “This Energy Savers Week, Pension Credit could give you:
– £150 off energy bills with a Warm Home Discount
– An average of £4,200 per year
– Cold Weather Payments (and more)
“It takes roughly 16 minutes to .”
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Pension Credit provides extra money to cover living costs to pensioners on a low income, and acts as a gateway to a wealth of other support so it’s well worth checking if you are eligible to claim it.
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached age to qualify. The benefit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single, or up to £332.95 if you have a partner.
The says you can start an application up to four months before you reach age – which is 66 for both men and women – and any time after, but your application can only be backdated by three months.
You can or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.