The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said thousands more pensioners are now claiming Pension Credit.
Since July, an extra 42,500 pensioners are now in receipt of Pension Credit and will receive the Winter Fuel Payment.
The DWP also said it had received around 150,000 Pension Credit claims in the 16 weeks since an announcement that the Winter Fuel Payment would only be paid to pensioners claiming the benefit.
Pensioners have been urged to apply for Pension Credit before Saturday, December 21, the final date that state pensioners can make a backdated claim for Pension Credit.
Claiming pension credit means pensioners can then claim the Winter Fuel Allowance.
The decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners who are not claiming Pensions Credit has seen new claims for the benefit soar by 145 per cent in the 18 weeks after the move was announced.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it received around 150,000 Pension Credit claims after the announcement on July 29, compared to around 61,300 Pension Credit claims in the 16 weeks before the announcement.
Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell, said: “Pension Credit has historically been chronically underclaimed, with over a third of households who could be eligible failing to make a claim each year. This could be for a number of reasons, from a lack of awareness to difficulties filling out forms or a reluctance to be seen as a benefit claimant, but the result is hundreds of thousands of people missing out on a vital source of income worth thousands of pounds a year on average.
“While the process can feel intimidating, it is worth doing if you think you might qualify. The DWP offers a useful online tool to check if you might qualify for Pension Credit before going through the application service, and organisations like Citizens Advice and Age UK can also help guide you through the process.”
If you are claiming Pension Credit then you may also be entitled to:
Housing Benefit
If you rent the property you live in you may be able to claim help with housing costs, although anyone who owns their own home can apply for Support for Mortgage Interest, which is a government loan that can help if you are having trouble with meeting your mortgage payments.
If you were born before 23 September 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025. Statistics reveal that around 880,000 pensioners households who are eligible for Pension Credit fail to claim it, missing out on hundreds of pounds of government aid.
Council tax discount
If you are entitled to Pension Credit, you may get maximum Council Tax Reduction, which is 100 per cent of the Council Tax payable, less any deductions for any non-dependant adults that may live with you.
Free TV Licence
If you’re aged 75 or over and claming Pension Credit you will get a free TV Licence, currently worth £168.50 a year.
Help with NHS treatments
You will get help with dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments,
Help through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off payment worth £150, issued households as a discount on electricity bills. If you are eligible, you will be sent a letter by your energy supplier in January 2025 and the discount will be applied to your bill.
You may even get a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving home.
