Households hoping to qualify for this winter's Winter Fuel Payment through a new pension credit claim have until 21 December 2024 to apply, because that is the latest date on which a claim can be backdated far enough to cover the qualifying period1. The date follows the government's July 2024 decision to means-test the payment, so that pensioners not receiving pension credit or certain other means-tested benefits no longer receive it1.
The qualifying period for the Winter Fuel Payment was 16 September, with ministers stating that pensioners can still apply after it closed provided they apply for pension credit before 21 December and would have been eligible in the qualifying period of 16 to 22 September2. Home Energy Scotland gives the same deadline, describing 21 December 2024 as "the latest date to apply and still be eligible for Pension Credit and a Winter Fuel Payment"3. Care & Repair Cymru states: "You have until the 21 December 2024 to make a claim for Pension Credit and to receive the Winter Fuel Payment this Winter"4.
The payment itself is worth £200 or £300 depending on age, according to Which?1. Care & Repair Cymru gives the range as between £100 and £3004. Pension credit provides at least £218.15 a week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples1, and Home Energy Scotland puts its average value at £3,900 a year3. Care & Repair Cymru lists the weekly income thresholds for eligibility as less than £218.15 for a single household and less than £332.95 for a couple household, with state pension age given as 66 for men and women4.
Demand has risen sharply. Since April 2024 the Department for Work and Pensions received 215,200 claims, of which 161,800 were processed and 81,000 approved, leaving 53,400 awaiting review1. Applications surged following the government's Winter Fuel Payment announcement on 29 July 2024, with 150,000 claims made in the 16 weeks that followed, a 145% increase on the previous 16 weeks1. Almost 900,000 pensioners need to apply for pension credit if they want the payments, according to the End Fuel Poverty Coalition2, while Care & Repair Cymru cites 50,000 people in Wales not claiming pension credit who could be4.
Processing times are a stated concern. A recorded message on the pension credit helpline said applications could take nine weeks to process, against a qualifying period of 16 September2. The End Fuel Poverty Coalition said:
"But as it takes so long to process new claims, even those applying now may be forced into a back-dating procedure which could delay payments."
Why it matters for households
The Winter Fuel Payment is no longer universal for pensioner households. For a household that was not already receiving pension credit or another qualifying means-tested benefit, entitlement this winter depends on a claim being made and backdated to cover 16 to 22 September. A claim submitted after 21 December cannot be backdated that far, so the payment would not follow from it this winter1. Pension credit also acts as a gateway to other support, including help with council tax, NHS dental care and, for those aged over 75, a free TV licence3. Care & Repair Cymru lists further linked support including a £1,670 council tax reduction, a £169.50 free TV licence and a £160 water bill payment4. Which? notes that only about half of processed pension credit applications were approved, and that a rejected applicant can reapply at any time or request a mandatory reconsideration within one month1.
What happens next
Eligible claimants whose Winter Fuel Payment does not come through automatically will have to claim for it by 31 March 20252. Winter Heating Payment in Scotland, worth £58.75 this winter, is paid automatically between December and February regardless of temperature1. Cold Weather Payment of £25 is paid for each seven-day period with temperatures below 0°C between 1 November and 31 March1.
Sources4 cited
- Winter fuel changes spark pension credit surge – 6 alternative ways to get support - Which?, which.co.uk
- Government winter fuel payment plans hit by chaos, endfuelpoverty.org.uk
- Check if you're eligible for Pension Credit | Home Energy Scotland, homeenergyscotland.org
- You Could Still Get the Winter Fuel Payment | Care & Repair, careandrepair.org.uk