DWP confirms older Brits now get £4200 on average when claiming key pension benefit

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed that the annual value of Pension Credit now stands at an average of £4,200.

As the DWP intensifies its campaign calling on pensioners with low incomes to verify their eligibility and apply for this means-tested benefit, the deadline to claim extra cash this winter is just two weeks away.

Successful claims submitted by December 21, 2024, will be eligible for a retroactive Winter Fuel Payment of up to £300. Newly released DWP statistics indicate there has been a surge in recipients since July, with 42,500 more older Brits benefiting from Pension Credit, and consequently qualifying for this year's Winter Fuel Payments.

The announcement comes as new applications have surged following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' statement that many of the 12.9 million pensioners will no longer automatically receive heating bill assistance this year.