The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it is not too late for older people to make a new claim for Pension Credit and be eligible for the second means-tested cost of living payment, worth £324. For someone over 66 to qualify, they must have been entitled to a payment of Pension Credit on or before the qualifying date of September 25, 2022.
Pension Credit is a retrospective benefit, which means it can be backdated by three months and the last date for those who can successfully backdate their claim is December 18, though DWP is urging people to get their applications in “as soon as possible”. Even if someone is only awarded one penny they will qualify for the second cost of living payment of £324 which was paid to eight million people last month.
Commenting on the Pension Credit cut-off date, DWP explained: “People do not have to do anything extra to backdate their claim. If they make their application online, they will automatically be asked about backdating, and if they make their application over the phone the adviser will talk them through this.”
