Pension Credit

Pension Credit is for people over state pension age, who are on a low income, to help with living costs.

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income.

Pension Credit can also help with housing costs, such as ground rent or service charges.

You can claim Pension Credit at anytime, but successfully claiming by 21 December 2024 will also mean you are eligible for the winter fuel payment.

You can find out more about Pension Credit here.

You can get help and advice on claiming Pension Credit in lots of ways:

You can call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) directly on free phone 0800 99 1234. They can fill in the application over the phone (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).

You can also get help from Age UK Leicestershire and Rutland:

Online at: Pension credit advice | Age UK

By phone: Age UK helpline 0116 299 2278, 9am to 1pm, Monday to Thursday

In person: The Bradbury Centre, 46 Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 3PJ

Are you eligible for a winter fuel payment?

Starting this winter (2024/25), you’ll only be able to get a winter fuel payment if you’re over state pension age and receive one of the following benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income support
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

You can still apply for Pension Credit to get this year’s winter fuel payment.

Although the qualifying week for this year’s winter fuel payment has now passed (16 and 22 September 2024), you may still be eligible for the payment if you successfully apply for Pension Credit by 21 December 2024. That’s because claims for Pension Credit can be backdated by up to three months (provided you would have been entitled to the benefit at the earlier date).

Check you're not missing out on help

The upcoming change to winter fuel payment eligibility means it’s more important than ever to make sure you claim what you’re entitled to.

More than 800,000 people who are eligible for Pension Credit don’t currently get it, and it’s often key to qualifying for other help – so may unlock thousands of pounds of extra support.

Those eligible for the winter fuel payment in England, Wales or Northern Ireland will likely also be eligible for cold weather payments, where you automatically get £25 each time the average temperature in your area is – or is forecast to be –0°C or below for seven days in a row between 1November and 31 March. Similarly, those eligible in Scotland will get a one-off £58.75 to help with heating bills this winter.

If you’re eligible for the winter fuel payment, you may also be eligible for the £150 warm home discount.