5 days left to get backdated pension credit claims in for winter fuel payment

You've got five days to submit your backdated pension credit claims to qualify for the winter fuel payment.

Claims must be made to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by 21 December and be backdated to the week of 16-22 September 2024.

What is the winter fuel payment?

The winter fuel payment helps pensioners cover higher heating bills during the colder months.

Last year, around 11.5 million pensioners received between £250 to £600, depending on individual circumstances.

Earlier this year, the government opted to make the payment means-tested to address a £22bn shortfall in public spending.

DWP has received 150,000 applications for pension credit since announcing the changes earlier this year.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the winter fuel payment, you need to be born before 25 September 1958 and also receive either pension credit or one of the following means-tested benefits:

• universal credit
• income-related employment and support allowance
• income-based jobseeker's allowance
• income support
• child tax credit
• working tax credit

DWP has said it has no plans to change how it checks eligibility for winter fuel payments, despite calls for change.

What is pension credit?

Pension credit helps people over pension age with low incomes.

You might qualify if your weekly income is:

• £218.15 if you're single
• £332.95 if you have a partner

Even if your income is higher, you could still be eligible if you have a disability, caring responsibilities, savings, or housing costs.

Extra support

If you get even a small amount of pension credit, you might also be eligible for more support, like:

• housing benefit
• support for mortgage interest
• council tax discount
• free TV licence if over 75
• help with NHS dental treatment, glasses, and transport costs for hospital visits
• warm home discount scheme

Last year, a huge £1.1bn in pension credit went unclaimed. Use our free benefits calculator to make sure you're getting all the help you're entitled to.

Apply before 21 December

If you apply or have applied before 21 December and meet the criteria, you will get backdated payments for pension credit and the winter fuel allowance.

This could help with those hefty winter energy bills, so be sure to apply before the deadline.