Hundreds of thousands of pensioners at risk of missing out on £299 from next month
Pension Credit applications can only be backdated by three months
GETTY
Hundreds of thousands of pensioners are at risk of missing out on a £299 tax-free payment next month, despite being eligible.
The Government has confirmed the payment, which is the third and final instalment of the £900 cost of living payment for certain means-tested benefits recipients, will be paid between February 6 and February 22 for most people.
Pensioners on a low income could get the payment through Pension Credit, if they were entitled to the benefit or later found to be entitled to it, during the qualifying period.
This period refers to between November 13, 2023 and December 12, 2023.
Pension Credit is a top-up payment for low income pensioners
GETTY
While the qualifying period has already passed, Pension Credit backdating rules mean pensioners could still get the £299 cost of living payment, as well as the benefit, which is worth £3,900 a year on average.
Pension Credit applications can only be backdated by three months, meaning low income pensioners may be able to get the final cost of living payment if they apply before March 12, 2024, provided they were eligible during the qualifying period.
Pension Credit, a top-up payment for low income pensioners, is not claimed by hundreds of thousands of people who are entitled to it.
The latest figures show up to 880,000 families who were entitled to get Pension Credit didn’t claim it in the year to April 2022, meaning up to £2.1billion of available Pension Credit went unclaimed.
A DWP spokesperson said: “The latest published take-up estimates cover the financial year ending 2022. Since April 2022, our extensive communications campaign has helped drive Pension Credit claims to an all-time high, with applications up by around 75 per cent in the 12 months to May 2023 compared to the same period last year.
“Alongside this, we’ve supported pensioners with the biggest state pension increase in history this year, have committed to the triple lock, and are providing pensioners with up to £600 to help with heating costs this winter.”
The Government has launched a Pension Credit calculator tool which helps people to see if they are eligible for the benefit.
To use the service, a person will need details of their earnings, benefits, pensions, savings and investments.
If the applicant has a partner, they will need the same details for them too.
Those who cannot use the online calculator can call the Pension Credit claim line instead.
People who have deferred their state pension would need to call the Pension Service helpline instead and ask about Pension Credit.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
How to claim Pension Credit
A Pension Credit application can be started up to four months before reaching state pension age, and any time after this – although the claim can only be backdated by three months.
People who have already applied for the state pension can use the online service to apply for Pension Credit.
It’s also possible to apply for Pension Credit over the phone, by calling the Pension Credit claim line.
A friend or family member can call on the applicant’s behalf if they cannot use the phone.
Alternatively, people can apply by post, by printing out and filling in the Pension Credit claim form or calling the claim line to request a form.
You may like
