State pensioners warned over December deadline which could cost them £4,000 each

Pensioners are being urged to claim £3,900 before a deadline as 750,000 older people in the UK are "missing out on support". Pensioners are being urged to check their eligibility for Pension Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) before December 21.

The warning servces as a reminder for pensioners to ensure they do not miss out on vital winter support worth an average of £3,900 per year. You may be eligible for Pension Credit if you’re State Pension age or older. This is the age that you’re able to claim the State Pension, not the age you retire at (the State Pension age is currently 66).

There are two parts to Pension Credit: Guarantee Pension Credit and Savings Pension Credit. You may be able to claim one or both types. The Pension Credit you may be able to claim depends on when you reached State Pension age.

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If you reached State Pension age on or after April 6th 2016, you may be able to claim Guarantee Pension Credit. If you reached State Pension age before April 6th 2016, you may be able to claim Guarantee Pension Credit and/or Savings Credit.

The way Pension Credit is worked out means that it’s impossible to give a simple figure of how much it’s worth a week. However, the Department for Work and Pensions says that Pension Credit is worth an average of £3,900 a year. This works out at £75 a week – but you may get more or less.

Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London, said: "The Government's decision around the Winter Fuel payments has brought into sharp focus the importance of applying for Pension Credit. Not only does it give pensioners on a low income extra money, but it entitles them to extra help with, for example, energy and housing costs."

She added: "However, too many pensioners - approximately three quarters of a million - are still missing out on this financial support."