What are winter fuel payments and pension credit, and how do you claim?

Although paid without a direct claim, the vast majority of those eligible will only receive winter fuel payments if they have first claimed pension credit, external.

This is a state pension top up, which itself is worth thousands of pounds a year.

Crucially, an estimated 880,000 eligible pensioners fail to claim pension credit.

You could be eligible for pension credit if you are above state pension age and have an income of less that £218.15 a week, or less than £332.95 as a joint weekly income with your partner. Savings are also taken into account.

Disabled people, those caring for someone, and those with housing costs could be eligible despite these factors.

You can check your eligibility for pension credit via the government’s online calculator, external.

Information is also available on how to make a claim, external. There is also a phone line available on weekdays – 0800 99 1234.

The final date for making a backdated claim for pension credit, in order to receive the winter fuel payment, is 21 December.