A little known DWP loophole means state pensioners can still get a £300 Winter Fuel Payment this winter even if they missed the deadline to qualify for the benefit this week.
The payment of up to £300 has controversially been switched to means testing from this October and in order to get it, pensioners must be in receipt of Pension Credit this week, September 16-22, whereas in previous years it was automatically paid to everyone.
So it might seem that if you failed to apply for Pension Credit in time for this week that you won’t be able to claim the payment this winter.
But there is a little known DWP loophole which can still see you qualify for the money even if you missed the deadline.
Pension Credit applications can be backdated for three months, so if you apply at any time within the next three months, your claim will be backdated until this week.
Not only will that mean a lump sum when the payments begin, but you effectively have until December 21 in order to qualify for the money.
Money expert Martin Lewis reckons that there are still as many as 800,000 people who are eligible for Pension Credit who have not yet applied, meaning that some of the poorest and lowest income pensioners who need the money this winter still wont get it.
He urged people to have a quiet word with anyone they know who could potentially qualify and push them to put an application together.
Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to a minimum level. Right now, pension credit will increase your weekly income to £218.15, or £332.95 if you have a partner.
If your weekly income is lower than this, you will almost certainly qualify for Pension Credit and in turn, the £300 Winter Fuel Allowance.
Pension Credit is also a ‘gateway’ benefit to various others such as cost of living payments, council tax reductions and a £0 TV Licence.
