The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is contacting more than 1.2 million people over State Pension age who may be eligible for Pension Credit and this year's Winter Fuel Payment. Local councils are being asked to help reach those eligible.
More than 1.2 million people over State Pension age may be due a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions or their local council, inviting them to make a claim for Pension Credit which would unlock access to this year’s Winter Fuel Payment . The latest figures from the DWP show that at the end of May this year, more than 1.1m older people were in receipt of Housing Benefit , including over 116,000 living in Scotland.
The eligibility change to Winter Fuel Payments will see around 10m people over State Pension age across Great Britain miss out on the annual heating help. An estimated 1.5m will receive the payment automatically in November or December this year. “Building on last year’s ‘Invitation to Claim’ trial, the Department will be directly contacting approximately 120,000 pensioner households who are in receipt of Housing Benefit and who may also be eligible for, but not currently claiming, Pension Credit.
Winter heating bill help Who can claim Pension Credit? There are two types of Pension Credit - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. How to check eligibility for Pension Credit Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Pension Credit Winter Fuel Payment DWP Housing Benefit
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