State pensioners who missed out on a Winter Fuel Payment can claim up to £4,375 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this winter.
Up until last year, the Winter Fuel Payment – which is worth up to £300 – was available to all pension-age households, but eligibility changes made by Labour now mean millions of pensioners miss out.
The formerly universal benefit is now a means-tested benefit and only goes to households who are in receipt of Pension Credit, or any of the following:
The change was made to ensure the payment goes to households that need it most, but pensioners who are only just above the affordability threshold now miss out.
The number of eligible households has now dropped from around 11 million to just over one million, but there are other forms of financial support pensioners can claim to help cover heating costs this winter.
The DWP has issued a fresh call for pensioners to apply for Pension Credit as part of Energy Savers Week, which runs until January 26.
The government said the benefit alone is worth £4,200 per year, but it also opens the door to other financial winter payments including a £150 Warm Home Discount.
Pensioners may also be eligible for Cold Weather Payments this winter, which are worth £25, so anyone that claims all three could get up to £4,375 from the DWP.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the government department said: “This Energy Savers Week, Pension Credit could give you:
– £150 off energy bills with a Warm Home Discount
– An average of £4,200 per year
– Cold Weather Payments (and more)
“It takes roughly 16 minutes to apply online.”
Pension Credit provides extra money to cover living costs to pensioners on a low income, and acts as a gateway to a wealth of other support so it’s well worth checking if you are eligible to claim it.
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify. The benefit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single, or up to £332.95 if you have a partner.
The DWP says you can start an application up to four months before you reach State Pension age – which is 66 for both men and women – and any time after, but your application can only be backdated by three months.
You can apply online via GOV.UK or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
