DWP issues warning to anyone over State Pension age - you must act by this date
by Kieran Isgin · ChronicleLivePensioners are being cautioned that they could be forgoing up to £300 in crucial cost of living aid. The clock is ticking, with just days remaining to submit a backdated claim for Pension Credit, which also qualifies the applicant for the 2024 Winter Fuel Payment.
After Saturday, December 21, the chance to do so will be lost. It's estimated that approximately 880,000 households are entitled to Pension Credit yet have not claimed it.
This oversight suggests close to a million households are foregoing not just the additional financial help from Pension Credit and the Winter Fuel Payment but also other support accessed through the benefit, including further assistance with council tax bills. Verity Kick from Oak Tree Mobility highlighted the issue, commenting: "Winter can be tough, especially for our elderly loved ones. Cold days mean higher heating bills, and the health issues that are linked to cold weather can make winter particularly difficult and expensive for the elderly."
"Around a quarter of UK adults say they're rarely or never able to keep comfortably warm in their living room, and six in 10 pensioners cut back on heating their home to help manage their finances-but prolonged exposure to the cold means they're at higher risk of injury and illness, such as hypothermia, influenza, and aggravated cases of asthma and COPD. Since government changes to winter fuel payments mean it's now linked with pension credit, we're urging eligible households to get the extra help they need during these chilly months.
"You can check if you're eligible for pension credit with this calculator, and find out how to make a claim-but if you're struggling to navigate the process, charities like Age UK can help.", reports the Manchester Evening News.
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Who is eligible for Pension Credit?
Pension Credit comes in two forms: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit, you must be of State Pension age (currently 66).
Your weekly income should be less than the minimum amount the UK Government deems necessary for living.
This minimum is set at £218.15 for single individuals and £332.95 for couples. These amounts may be higher if you're disabled, a carer, or have certain housing costs.
Savings Credit is only available under specific conditions:
- you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have a partner who reached State Pension age before this date and was already receiving it
- you have qualifying income of at least £189.80 a week for a single person and £301.22 a week for a couple
How to check eligibility for Pension Credit
To utilise the calculator on GOV. UK, you'll need details of:
- earnings, benefits and pensions
- savings and investments
The same information will be needed for your partner if you have one. A series of multiple-choice questions will be presented to you.
- Your date of birth
- Your residential status
- Where in the UK you live
- Whether you are registered blind
- Which benefits you currently receive
- How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
- Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
- How much you get each week from pensions - State Pension, private and work pensions
- Any employment earnings
- Any savings, investments or bonds you have
After answering these questions, a summary screen will display your responses, allowing you to revise any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator will then reveal the potential weekly benefit you could receive.
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