DWP warns state pensioners they have just 'four days left to go'

DWP warns state pensioners they have just 'four days left to go'

by · Birmingham Live

A Department for Work and Pensions deadline for the £300 Winter Fuel Payment arrives this week - meaning state pensioners must act now to get £3,900 a year. The deadline for making a claim for Pension Credit from the DWP is midnight on December 21.

If you miss it, you will not be eligible for this year's Winter Fuel Payment of either £200 or £300. According to the charity Carers UK, only those receiving Pension Credit or means-tested benefits will receive the one-off Winter Fuel Payment of up to £300 to help pay energy bills from this winter.

There are 1.2 million unpaid carers over the age of 65 in England and Wales, with 729,000 of those providing over 20 hours of care per week and 551,000 providing over 50 hours per week. Labour Party MP Rebecca Long Bailey warned, alongside a '4 Days to Go' image: "It's really important to claim Pension Credit and to do so quickly before 21st December.

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"Find out if you or your loved ones are eligible via the Age UK website—you may also become eligible for other benefits, such as help with health and housing costs." Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who have a low income. It comes in 2 parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. It's separate from your State Pension.

Pension Credit comes in 2 parts. You might be eligible for one or both parts. Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. This level is currently £218.15 if you're single or £332.95 if you're a couple. Savings Credit is extra money if you've got some savings or if your income is higher than the basic State Pension.

It's available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. You could get up to £17.01 extra per week if you're single or £19.04 extra per week if you're a couple. By claiming Pension Credit, you might become eligible for other benefits too, such as help with health and housing costs.