DWP warning to 880,000 people as crucial deadline looms - exact cut off date

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Pensioners are being warned that they could be missing out on as much as £300 in cost of living support. There are only a handful of days left until a backdated claim can be made for Pension Credit while also ensuring that the claimant can receive the 2024 Winter Fuel Payment as once Saturday, December 21 passes, this opportunity will end.

It is understood that around 880,000 households are eligible for Pension Credit but are still not claiming it. This means that nearly one million households are not only missing out on extra support from Pension Credit and the Winter Fuel Payment, but also other types of support that the benefit gives opportunity for, such as extra help with council tax.

Verity Kick at Oak Tree Mobility,: said: “Winter can be tough, especially for our elderly loved ones. Cold days mean higher heating bills, and the health issues that are linked to cold weather can make winter particularly difficult and expensive for the elderly. "Around a quarter of UK adults say they’re rarely or never able to keep comfortably warm in their living room, and six in 10 pensioners cut back on heating their home to help manage their finances—but prolonged exposure to the cold means they’re at higher risk of injury and illness, such as hypothermia, influenza, and aggravated cases of asthma and COPD.

Since government changes to winter fuel payments mean it’s now linked with pension credit, we’re urging eligible households to get the extra help they need during these chilly months. "You can check if you’re eligible for pension credit with this calculator, and find out how to make a claim—but if you’re struggling to navigate the process, charities like Age UK can help.” Pension Credit comes in two forms: Guarantee Credit