DWP urges state pensioners to come forward for £4,000 before end of month

A four-week warning has been issued over a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit. The DWP has issued a four-week warning as thousands look poised to miss out on £4k State Pension boost as we head towards Christmas.

State pensioners have been urged to apply for Pension Credit, with the DWP passing eight in 10 applications within 50 days. It means people could receive their initial payment, along with any arrears, by the end of December if they apply this month.

The government’s Pension Credit awareness drive will help identify households not claiming the benefit, and encourage pensioners to apply by 21 December, the last date for making a backdated claim for Pension Credit, in order to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.

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While around 1.4 million pensioners are already receiving Pension Credit there are up to an estimated 880,000 households eligible for the support who are yet to claim. Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall said: "The £22 billion black hole in the public finances we have inherited has required us to take difficult decisions, but I am determined to ensure low-income pensioners are supported.

"That’s why I urge any pensioner, or their loved ones, to check if they could get Pension Credit." Pensioners whose weekly income is below £218.15 for a single person or £332.95 for a couple should check to see if they could be eligible.

It is worth on average £3,900 a year and can also open doors to further financial help, such as housing costs, council tax, and heating bills, and the Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300. Anyone who is entitled to Pension Credit for at least one day of the Winter Fuel Payment qualifying week will have automatic entitlement to Winter Fuel Payment.

People do not have to do anything extra to backdate their claim. If they make their application online, they will automatically be asked if they would like to backdate it. If they make their application over the phone the advisor will talk them through this.