State pensioners born before 1958 issued 'December deadline' warning by DWP

State pensioners born before 1958 slapped with 'December deadline' by DWP

by · Birmingham Live

State pensioners have been issued a warning by the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) as they risk losing a free £300 payment. The vast majority of these payments will land in pensioners’ bank accounts automatically, directly helping vulnerable households with their energy bills.

The value of a Winter Fuel Payment is £200 for people born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958, and £300 for those born before 23 September 1944. The Government continues to urge pensioners on a low income to apply for Pension Credit before the 21 December deadline – all eligible claimants would receive up to £300 with the Winter Fuel Payment as well as any backdated Pension Credit arrears where applicable.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that nearly 78 per cent of all new claims for Pension Credit are processed - from initial application to award decision letter - within the target timeframe of 50 working days.

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This means older people on a low income making a new claim this month, especially those living on their own, could receive their first payment and any arrears by the end of December - along with the Winter Fuel Payment. It’s crucial for older married people or those in a civil partnership to make sure they are claiming all the additional financial support they are entitled to this winter to help offset the higher costs incurred during the colder months.

Pension Credit is the most under-claimed benefit, specifically aimed at providing additional financial support for older people on a low income - singles and couples. Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving the means-tested benefit that could provide an average of £3,900 n extra support during the year ahead.

However, the latest figures from the DWP suggest there are still 760,000 eligible pensioners not claiming the benefit they are entitled to.