The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a 10-day warning to people who could be missing out on an extra £324 cost of living payment this winter.
Pensioners are being urged to check if they qualify for Pension Credit ahead of the deadline on Sunday December 18. If they do, the credit can be backdated for up to three months - assuming they still qualified for it during that period - meaning people could receive a £324 boost.
Pension Credit helps those over State Pension age and on a low income with daily living costs, though you do not need to be in receipt of the State Pension to receive it. It tops up a person’s income to a minimum of £182.60 per week for single pensioners and to £278.70 for couples.
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The average Pension Credit award is worth more than £3,500 a year. But even a small Pension Credit award can provide access to a wide range of other benefits – such as help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills – in addition to the extra cost of living payments.
Minister for Pensions Laura Trott said: "The run up to Christmas is always a busy time, but one thing to make sure that’s on your list over the coming days is to find out whether you or your loved ones could be eligible for Pension Credit. Pension Credit can make a real difference and I am determined to make sure this support – worth an average of £3,500 per year – is reaching everyone who needs it."
To ensure that a successful backdated claim falls within the qualifying period for the extra £324 cost of living help, eligible pensioners are being urged to claim Pension Credit as soon as possible, and by no later than 18 December 2022.
Currently, around 1.4 million British pensioners receive Pension Credit. But many are still missing out on this extra financial help by not claiming it.
Claims can be made online and over the phone.
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