DWP Winter Fuel Payment warning to nearly 800,000 people over State Pension age

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Nearly 800,000 over the State Pension age have just one month remaining to apply for a means-tested benefit that also grants access to this year's Winter Fuel Payment.

Those who submit a new application for Pension Credit before December 21, 2025, will also be eligible for a backdated Winter Fuel Payment of up to £300.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that nearly 78% of all new Pension Credit claims are processed - from initial application to award decision letter - within the target timeframe of 50 working days.

This suggests that low-income older people making a new claim this month, particularly those living alone, could receive their first payment and any arrears by the end of December - along with the Winter Fuel Payment.