THE second date for the cost of living payment has been announced but over half a million could still miss out.
Most people who are eligible to receive the Government’s £650 cost of living payment will receive the next instalment in November.
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The second chunk worth £324 will land automatically in your bank account if you are eligible – so you don’t need to do anything to get the help.
To get the second payment, you will need to have been in receipt of any of one of the eligible benefits, including pension credit, for any day in the period August 26 to September 25, 2022.
Pension credit is designed to boost your income if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income.
The benefit could be worth more than £3,300 a year.
As pension credit claims can be backdated by three months, you can still make a claim for the benefit and get the cost of living cash too.
The last date for applying in order to qualify for the £324 payment is December 19.
Charity, Age UK says that around 770,000 pensioner households are not claiming pension credit.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “The Government’s second cost of living payment could really help those on a low income this winter.
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“But you have to be claiming pension credit to be eligible and we know that around 770,000 pensioner households are still missing out.”
Age UK is urging anyone who’s struggling to manage on a low income to get in touch with the charity for a benefits check by mid-December in order to meet the cut-off date.
Caroline added: “A successful claim – worth an average of £1,900 a year per household in addition to the cost of living payment – could be life-changing, giving people the confidence to eat well and keep their heating on over the coming months.”
The second half of the £650 cost of living cash is due to arrive in the accounts of eligible claimants between November 8 and 23.
Any claims for pension credit made after this date and before the December 19 backdating deadline will still get the cash,
Sara Williams, founder of Debt Camel said: “More than half a million pensioners don’t realise they can claim pension credit.
“Many people assume they can’t get pension credit if they have a pension from their employer, or if they own a house – both of these are wrong.
“If you are single and have a total income of less than £182.60, or less than £278.70 for a couple, make a claim today!
“The government should be warning all pensioners to submit a claim for pension credit in the next two months, before December 19, to get the extra cost of living help that goes to people on pension credit.”
What is pension credit?
Pension credit is offered in two parts – guarantee credit and savings credit. You may be eligible to both.
Guarantee credit is a top-up to your weekly income and savings credit is an extra boost if you’ve got saving or a higher income.
The benefit provides an income boost and eligibility for the £650 payment, and opens the door to loads of other support including help with energy bills and council tax, NHS dental treatment and a free TV licence (for the over 75s).
How much pension credit could I get?
The basic rate tops your income up to £182.60 a week for single people and £278.70 for couples – although you could get more depending on your personal circumstances.
If you have a severe disability you could get an extra £69.40 a week or an additional £38.85 if you are a carer.
Claimants who are responsible for children will get another £56.35 a week for each young person, or £66.85 a week for the first child if they were born before 6 April 2017.
According to the latest government statistics from January the average award is £64 a week.
Over the course of a year that adds up to £3,328.
How do I apply for pension credit?
To claim pension credit, you can either:
- Claim online
- Call the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234
Before you make a claim it’s important to have all your details to hand.
You’ll need your National Insurance number, bank account details and information about your income, savings and investments.
On top of the second cost of living instalment a £300 one-off “Pensioner Cost of Living Payment” will be paid out to eight million pensioner households.
It will be given to those who already get the Winter Fuel Payment – which is worth between £100 and £300 for those over state pension age.
