DWP urgent warning to 800,000 people over winter fuel charges | Personal Finance | Finance

Almost 800,000 people over pension age have just one month left to apply for the means-tested benefit, which also gives access to this year’s winter fuel payment. If they make a new pension credit claim before 21 December 2025, they will also be entitled to a retroactive winter fuel payment of up to £300.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that almost 78% of all new applications for pension credits are processed – from initial application to award decision letter – within the target time frame of 50 working days. This indicates that low-income seniors filing a new claim this month, particularly those living alone, will be able to receive their first payment and any outstanding balance by the end of December – along with the winter fuel payment.

For older married people or those in a civil partnership, it is vital to make sure they claim all the extra financial help they are entitled to this winter to help balance out increased costs during the colder months. The Pension Credit, specifically designed to provide additional financial support to low-income seniors – both singles and married couples – is the most under-appreciated benefit.

Although pension credit is available, the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that around 760,000 eligible pensioners are not claiming the benefit. Many older people mistakenly believe that their savings or home ownership disqualifies them from this means-tested benefit, the Daily Record reports.

However, even a modest award of £1 a week can provide additional support, including help with housing costs, heating bills and council tax. Here’s a rundown of the pension loan, including eligibility requirements, potential benefits and how to apply.

There are two types of pension loan: guarantee loan and savings loan. To be eligible for Guaranteed Pension Credit, you must be of state pension age (currently 66) and your weekly income must be below the UK Government’s minimum living wage (£218.15 for single people and £332.95 sterling for couples).

The amounts you could receive from the DWP may be higher if you are disabled, a carer or have special housing costs. A guarantee loan can increase your weekly income to these amounts, and possibly more if you are disabled, a caregiver, or have certain housing expenses.

Savings Credit can provide additional funds, the exact amount of which depends on your income and savings, including estimated savings and capital income of more than £10,000.

Entitlement to pension credit

To check your pension credit eligibility, seniors or their friends and family can use GOV’s online pension credit calculator. United Kingdom.

Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit Helpline directly on 0800 99 1234. Lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

If you are eligible for Pension Credit, you may also be eligible for additional help. In May 2019, the law was changed so that “mixed-age couples”, where one partner had reached pension age and the other had not, were considered to be a “working-age” couple when checking eligibility for means-tested benefits.

This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or Pension Age Housing Benefit until both partners reach State Pension age. Before this change by the DWP, a couple of different ages could qualify for more generous Age Pension payments when only one partner reached state pension age.

To figure out how much you can get, you’ll need to use the calculator on GOV. United Kingdom.

You will need details about income, benefits, pensions, savings and investments. If you have a partner, you will also need their details. You will be asked a series of multiple choice questions. Once you answer them, a summary screen will show your answers.

This will allow you to review and change any responses before submitting.

Calculate your claim

The Pension Credit calculator then shows how much benefit you can receive each week. After this, all you need to do is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will receive from the DWP, including access to other financial support.

There is also the option to print your answers using the calculator to speed up the completion of the application form without having to search for the same data again. Try using a pension loan calculator for yourself or a family member to make sure you’re getting all the financial support you’re entitled to.

However, the pension loan calculator is not suitable for everyone. It cannot be used if you or your partner are deferring your State Pension, own more than one property, are self-employed, or have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) that are not mortgage repayments , nor the rent covered by the Housing Fund. Benefit.

To apply, you can apply up to four months before you reach state pension age. You can apply at any time after reaching State Pension age, but your claim can only be backdated to three months.

This means you can receive up to three months of pension credit as your first payment if you were eligible during that time. You will need your National Insurance number and information about your income, savings and investments.

If you apply by telephone or by post, you will need your bank account details. If you are applying backdated, you will need to provide information about your income, savings and investments as of the start date of your application.

You can use the online service if you have already applied for a State Pension and your application does not include children or young people. To check your eligibility, you can call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234.