You could be due Pension Credit and also keep your Winter Fuel Payment

It is possible that you may be missing out on additional financial support. This may include Pension Credit and continued access to the Winter Fuel Payment.

DWP figures show that for those who qualify for Pension Credit it is worth, on average, £3,900 per year. Pension Credit also unlocks additional support including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with Council Tax, NHS dental care and a free TV licence for those aged over 75.

The rules for Pension Credit allows for up to three months backdating, so making a successful claim before the 21st December 2024 could also see you keep your entitlement to the Winter Fuel Payment.

The easiest way to check if you qualify for Pension Credit is by calling Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234. This can be done Monday to Friday between 8am to 6pm. Alternatively, you can make a claim online at www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim. If you would find it helpful to have a family member or friend to help you make a claim, that is fine the claim process allows then to do this for you.

You can apply for Pension Credit even if you have some savings or other income and you can check in advance if you should make a claim by using this Pension Credit calculator www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator.

If you would prefer to make a paper claim then phone the Pension Credit claim line and request a form to be sent to you, or if you have access to a printer you can download a copy of it from the web address above. Once completed the paper form should be sent (no stamp required) to: Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3.

The form is short and doesn’t take a lot of time to complete.

If there is no one to help you and need assistance to make a claim any welfare rights and advice service that you have previously had support from might be able to help. Also it is possible that, if you are a Housing Association tenant, they will be able to assist. So please contact them to see if they can assist. Age Scotland may also be able to assist and they can be contacted on 080012 44 222.

Contact details of Advice Agencies and Housing Associations that may be able to help can be found on the Glasgow City Council Website at the following address.

https://glasgow.gov.uk/article/10902

In Scotland there are estimated to be thousands of people over pension age are missing out on Pension Credit and are at risk of losing the Winter Fuel Payment. The UK and Scottish Governments are strongly encouraging pensioners to claim what they are due.

Please act on the advice in this letter to make sure you are not financially losing out. Remember at a completed claim for Pension Credit needs to have been made by 21st December 2024 with a request to have it backdated in order to also qualify for the winter fuel payment.