Thousands of people are being urged to take steps to make sure they receive the latest £324 cost of living payment from the DWP, and time is running out.
Independent Age, the national older person’s charity, says eligible older people can claim the cash by putting in an application for Pension Credit by next Sunday (December 18). People who do so may then be able to backdate the claim for up to three months, to receive £324.
The cash is the second half of a total of £650 offered from the government to help the most vulnerable during the cost of living crisis.
READ MORE: DWP benefit claimants including Pensions, PIP and DLA set to see cash boost this week
Pension Credit is a form of financial support that "tops up" the income of people over the State Pension age who fall below an income threshold. It can be worth up to £3,300 per year or over £60 a week.
However, an estimated 850,000 eligible households could be missing out. As a "passported benefit", even if a person only gets a few pennies extra per week from the DWP, it also unlocks additional benefits such as the Warm Home Discount, a free TV licence, Council Tax Reduction and free NHS dental treatment.
Independent Age’s research has shown that these extra benefits can be worth up to £8,000 a year.
John Palmer, Director of Policy and Communications at Independent Age said: “We’re urging all older people to check now whether they could receive Pension Credit. Time is running out. Not only could they receive an extra £324 to help with the cost of living, but they will gain an additional weekly income and unlock a host of other entitlements.
”If you think you could be eligible visit the DWP website or call the Independent Age helpline on 0800 319 6789 and we can talk you through the application process, and especially how to backdate your claim by three months so you will receive the £324. You can also use our online benefits checker to find out more information.
“Even after the deadline to backdate the claim, all older people should check if they are eligible for Pension Credit. The support you could be entitled to is sitting in a pot, with up to £1.7 billion a year not being received. During this tough winter, we all need to make sure we’re receiving all the support we’re entitled to.”
As part of the Autumn Statement, the Government recently announced an additional £900 cost of living payment for those on means-tested benefits including Pension Credit that will be available in 2023/24. The DWP hasn’t yet confirmed the timing of the payment and eligibility dates but older people are recommended to check if they could be entitled to Pension Credit to maximise the chances of being eligible for the new cost of living support.
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