Winter fuel payment deadline warning – what pensioners need to know
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To receive the winter fuel payment for 2024, people must successfully apply for pension credit by 21 December. Pensioners have just a few days to ensure they get their winter fuel payment for 2024, with the 21 December deadline to apply fast approaching.
The deadline is the last day anyone over pension age (66+) can apply for pension credit and still unlock the cold weather lump sum payment for 2024. However, there is an average 65-day waiting time for applications, so those successful will not likely get their payments until 2025 - although it will be backdated.
Pensioners have already started receiving winter fuel payments for the year, with those successfully claiming pension credit receiving £200-300 in their bank accounts from 25 November. In previous years, all pensioners would receive the payment every winter to help towards cold weather heating costs. Now, it will only be paid to pensioners who are claiming pension credit.
The move has been criticised by campaigners for older people and money experts, including Martin Lewis. They say the threshold is too low and rigid, meaning around two million vulnerable pensioners are at risk of losing out on the payment. Labour has defended the move, with the chancellor saying it was not a decision she wanted to make but that it would help shore up the government’s finances.
