HOUSEHOLDS have to apply for a government benefit by a certain date if they want to qualify for this year's Winter Fuel Payment. The Winter Fuel Payment was previously available to everyone aged 66 and above, the current State Pension age. 1 Pension Credit opens up the Winter Fuel Payment and other perks Credit: Getty But in July the Government announced the payment would become means-tested meaning only those on certain benefits are eligible.
This includes those on income support, tax credits and Universal Credit, but also Pension Credit. To qualify for this year's Winter Fuel Payment, you must have an active claim for one of the qualifying benefits during what's known as the "qualifying week" - this year that's from September 16 to 22. Therefore, you would expect that the deadline to claim Pension Credit to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment was this Sunday.
Read more on Benefits TAKE NOTE Warning 850,000 miss out on benefits worth £9k & pension credit is key to cash BILL HELP UK's biggest energy firm with 7m customers to give thousands £150 for winter However, claims for Pension Credit can in fact be backdated by up to three months. It means the actual, final, deadline you have to apply for Pension Credit by in order to get the Winter Fuel Payment is December 21. If you don't apply for Pension Credit by this date, you won't qualify for this year's £300.
It's worth bearing in mind that the amount you get for the Winter Fuel Payment varies depending on your age. Most rea.