Hundreds of thousands of retirees are believed to be eligible but haven’t applied yet (Image: GETTY)
This coming Saturday, December 21, marks the final deadline for Brits to and still be able to receive the benefit as well.
This will entitle those eligible not just to the weekly top-up from Pension Credit but an additional £200 or £300 to help with heating bills throughout the winter.
One important caveat that claimants do not need to have their applications accepted by Saturday, they only need to apply by this date in order to get the double benefits if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Although most Winter Fuel Payments have already been sent out, Pension Credit claims can be backdated by up to 3 months, and precisely 3 months ago was the qualifying week for Winter Fuel Payments.
If pensioners met all of the eligibility criteria during the 16th to the 22nd of September they are entitled to Winter Fuel Payments for the 2024/2025 winter season. The is aiming to complete all Winter Fuel Payments by January 29, allowing time to catch up the last groups of Pension Credit claimants who meet the deadline.
:
One of the qualifying criteria Rachel Reeves changed in her Autumn Budget was the Pension credit requirement.
Now, Brits must be claiming Pension Credit to receive the seasonal support payment. For those not already claiming this benefit, they need to prove their eligibility during the qualifying week by backdating their Pension Credit application.
This double benefit eligibility could net some Brits up to £4,200 in support from the , a significant sum that could cover many costs. However, the Pension Credit application form, with imor than 200 questions, has proven intimidating for some.
Don’t miss… [WARNING]
In late November, stats revealed a shocking 96% of claims were rejected. The Government defended the Chancellor’s decision to alter the eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments, arguing it would encourage nearly 900,000 low-income pensioners eligible for Pension Credit but not claiming it, to do so.
While applications did surge, as of November, it was estimated that only 5% of this group had been awarded their due benefits. Pension Credit is often dubbed a “gateway benefit” as claiming it can make people eligible for a range of other benefits, freebies, discounts and extras to help with living costs.
These include free TV licences for those over 75, assistance with NHS costs, and council tax reductions.
This also makes recipients eligible for Cold Weather Payments, which offer £25 for every 7 consecutive days of severe weather in their postcode. This is determined by a recorded or forecast average temperature of 0 degrees celsius or lower between November 1 and March 31.