There are three key dates anyone hoping to claim extra money to help with the costs of winter need to know, and they are all before Christmas. The Department for Work and Pensions has set a number of important dates in the next few months that will determine whether you get any extra help with bills, heating and the cost of the festive season.
The first comes within weeks, and could see you have £150 cut off the cost of your energy bills.
November 10 – deadline for Warm Home Discount
If you are of pension age and qualify for Pension Credit you are still able to apply for the Warm Home Discount. The discount is £150 handed to your energy supplier to reduce the cost of heating your home.
The benefit is available to people who claim things like Housing Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support and Universal Credit.
But while for most people the deadline to claim the Warm Home Discount passed in August, those who claim Pension Credit can claim it until November 10.
If you don’t yet get Pension Credit, you can apply before November 10 and backdate your alim far enough to qualify for the £150. You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age.
Find out how to claim on gov.uk website.
December 2 – deadline for DWP Christmas bonus
Each year the DWP gives people who claim benefits an extra £10 at Christmas. The money is handed to people who claim certain benefits in a qualifying week – this year that is the week starting December 2.
The money will be paid automatically if you qualify – that is, if you claim one of a list of benefits including Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Pension Credit and State Pension.
December 21 – deadline for Winter Fuel Payment
Changes to the Winter Fuel Payment rules this year mean you must be claiming Pension Credit or a similar benefit to claim your up to £300 towards the cost of heating. To qualify you must be over State Pension age.
If you are not yet claiming Pension Credit, you can claim by December 22, backdate your claim and qualify for this year’s payment.
Your claim could take up to eight weeks to process, but if you apply before December 21 and qualify you will get the payment.
Claim on the gov.uk website.