Pensioners and their families have just a few days left to check if they are able to claim an extra benefit which will make them eligible to get the £324 second cost of living payment.
It is thought that about 800,000 households are not claiming pension credit, which is a benefit for retired people on low incomes. As well as topping up their state pensions every week, the benefit is a passport to a whole raft of other benefits, including council tax discounts, warm home discounts and free TV licences.
The second part of the £650 cost of living payment has already been paid to most claimants, and those who were in receipt of pension credit on or before 25 September will automatically get the £324 payment. However, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging people not to be put off making a claim, as if successful, pension credit can be backdated three months, making the claimant still able to get the extra cost of living payment as long as the claim is submitted before Monday, December 19.
