DWP warns over 'absolute' cut-off to claim free winter payment
The "absolute" cut-off to secure a £300 Winter Fuel Payment for state pensioners this winter has been confirmed. Claims for Pension Credit can in fact be backdated by up to three months so it means the actual, final, deadline you have to apply for Pension Credit by in order to get the Winter Fuel Payment is December 21.
If you don't apply for Pension Credit by this date, you won't qualify for this year's £300. Tom Barrett, financial wellbeing expert at occupational charity caba, warned: "We would advise people to check whether they are in receipt of all of their benefit entitlement. Currently, around 800,000 eligible people do not claim Pension Credit.
"Entitlement to Pension Credit will also trigger entitlement to the Winter Fuel Payment, as well as other benefits such as housing benefit. There is an absolute deadline of December 21, 2024, to apply for Pension Credit in order to be entitled to the winter fuel payment for this winter.
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"People can check benefit entitlement using caba’s benefits calculator." He said: "Although you can’t wave away financial anxiety overnight, there are proactive steps you can take to ease financial worries and feel prepared for the upcoming changes to winter fuel payments. Budgeting is one way to help reduce feelings of money anxiety and make you feel more in control.
"While living on less money might mean an adjustment to your lifestyle, using a variety of budgeting tools can help you get into sustainable spending habits and help you manage your money better.
"By having a clearer picture of your income and expenditure, you can hopefully keep your finances on track. Using budgeting tools will also highlight any budget deficit earlier, enabling you to take preventative steps such as seeking debt advice sooner, before the issue grows into a larger problem."