The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has called for pensioners to check if they are entitled to Pension Credit as soon as possible, or risk missing out on the cost of living payment.
Minister for Pensions Laura Trott has urged pensioners to check if they qualify for Pension Credit, to ensure they stand the best chance of qualifying for an extra £324 cost of living payment.
Checking eligibility and applying by December 18, 2022 - which is just ten days away - will mean pensioners could also receive a £324 boost thanks to Pension Credit backdating rules.
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If successful, Pension Credit claims can be backdated for up to three months. This only works as long as the applicant was also eligible to receive it during that time.
The average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,500 a year and even a small Pension Credit award can provide access to a wide range of other benefits – such as help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills – in addition to the extra cost of living payments.
Minister for Pensions Laura Trott said: "The run up to Christmas is always a busy time, but one thing to make sure that’s on your list over the coming days is to find out whether you or your loved ones could be eligible for Pension Credit.
"Pension Credit can make a real difference and I am determined to make sure this support – worth an average of £3,500 per year – is reaching everyone who needs it."
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit is designed to help people over State Pension age and on a low income with daily living costs, though you do not need to be in receipt of State Pension to receive it.
It tops up a person’s income to a minimum of £182.60 per week for single pensioners and to £278.70 for couples.
How do I qualify for the backdated payments?
To ensure that a successful backdated claim falls within the qualifying period for the extra £324 cost of living help, eligible pensioners are being urged to claim Pension Credit as soon as possible - no later than December 18.
Currently, around 1.4 million pensioners across the UK receive Pension Credit. However, many are still not claiming this extra financial help.
How do I make a claim?
Pension Credit can be claimed by phone and online, ensuring that older people can apply safely and easily, wherever they are.
The online Pension Credit calculator is also on hand to help pensioners check if they’re likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive.
Applications for Pension Credit can be made:
- On the How to Claim page
- Over the phone by calling 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm)
- By printing out and filling in a paper application form
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