There’s never been a more important time to claim Pension Credit than now, says Age UK

Age UK urges older people on low and modest incomes to check whether they’re eligible for Pension Credit, to be assured of keeping their Winter Fuel Payment this winter

Older people living on low and modest incomes have until 22^nd September to apply for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment[i] (WFP) this year.

However, many people are unaware that successful Pension Credit claims can be backdated by up to three months so there is more time to make a claim if people cannot meet the first deadline. 

If you claim Pension Credit after you reach State Pension age, the very last day you could claim and guarantee that you will get 3 months backdating to bring you within the qualifying week to also get a WFP would be 21 December 2024.  If people want to claim over the phone, they’ll need to do so by Friday 20^th December.

Following the Chancellor’s announcement in July, older people will only receive a Winter Fuel Payment this year if they were born before 23 September 1958 and claim Pension Credit or other qualifying benefits[ii] by the qualifying week of 16-22 September.

With energy bills set to rise by 10% from 1^st October, Age UK is urging older people living on a low income to check if they’re entitled to any financial help pay their household bills and stay warm at home.

Alongside this call to action, Age UK continues to urge the public to show solidarity and sign its petition to Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners.  Now approaching 500,000 signatures, the Charity’s petition shows the strength of public feeling behind the rushed decision to means test the Winter Fuel Payment.

Pension Credit is known as the ‘gateway’ benefit for pensioners as it opens the doors to a wide range of additional support.  A successful claim for Pension Credit also means extra help with energy bills and other essential living costs such as:

• A one-off payment of £150 (previously £140) through the Warm Home Discount Scheme to help with the cost of energy this winter
• A Cold Weather Payment of £25 a week, paid automatically when the average temperature is 0°C or below over seven consecutive days
• Help with Council Tax and rent
• Reduced water bills
• Free NHS dental treatment and help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital
• A free TV licence (if over-75)
• Cheaper phone and home broadband deals
• An extra amount of Pension Credit for some carers worth up to £45.60 a week for 2024/25.

Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK said: “Claiming Pension Credit is the main pensioner benefit[iii] that also qualifies people for a Winter Fuel Payment, so we really do urge anyone who is feeling the pinch to come forward and check if they’re eligible for extra help this winter.

“Despite numerous campaigns to drive the take-up of Pension Credit over the years only 63% claim it and the figure has never gone above 66% in the last decade.  Yet there is £1.7 billion[iv] pot of money waiting for those older people who are entitled to it, and it could make a big difference to their quality of life.

“We would encourage anyone with an older person in their lives to strike up a conversation about the cost of bills and mention this extra help that might help them to cope and stay warm this winter, if they put in a claim.”

Age UK hosts a free and anonymous Benefits Calculator which can provide an estimate of the benefits that people could be entitled to.

To make a claim for Pension Credit, older people should call the DWP Pension Credit claim line direct on 0800 99 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim. Pension Credit can be claimed by phone as well as online.

Age UK is campaigning to save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners.  Click here to sign Age UK’s petition or for those offline, people can request one by writing to FREEPOST Age UK Campaigns or asked a friend or loved one to print a template of the petition and send back to FREEPOST, Age UK Campaigns.