Pension Credit and Winter Fuel payments

Find out how to claim Pension Credit and to see if you are eligible for Winter Fuel Payments.

This information was last updated on 31 October 2024

Help to claim Pension Credit

You could be entitled to Pension Credit, worth an average of £3,900 per year, even if you own your home or have savings. Pension Credit is also separate from your State Pension. You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
 
As part of our commitment to support our residents, Northumberland County Council is working with Age UK Northumberland and Citizen’s Advice Northumberland to provide you with further information and offer help to apply for Pension Credit.
 

Age UK Northumberland

Your local Age UK can offer you free, confidential, and impartial advice on benefit and money matters. They can also help you with making these benefit claims.
 
To book an appointment with an advisor, contact: 01670 784800
 

Citizen’s Advice Northumberland

Citizen’s Advice Northumberland are also available to support you to make your application and can be contacted on 0808 278 7944.
 

Or you can apply online

You can use the online service if you have already applied for your State Pension, click here to apply for Pension Credit.
 

Apply by phone

A friend or family member can call on your behalf. Pension Credit claim line:

• Telephone: 0800 99 1234
• Textphone: 0800 169 0133
• Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 99 1234
• British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you are on a computer - Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

 

Apply by post

Print out and fill in the Pension Credit claim form.

Visit the Pension Credit gov.co.uk website and print the application in the Apply by Post section or call the claim line to request a form.

Send the completed claim form to the Pension Service or ask someone to do it for you.
The Pension Service
8 Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AN

If you are eligible, you could also be entitled to a range of additional support like:

• Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
• Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
• A Council Tax discount
• A free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
• Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses, and transport costs for hospital appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit
• Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help you with heating costs during the colder months. The Government announced in July 2024 that, from this year onwards, to be eligible you must have reached State Pension age and also receive one of the benefits below.

Eligibility

You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958.

You must also live in England or Wales and get one of the following:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

You’ll also need to have been getting a benefit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024.

Click here to find out if you’re eligible for Winter Fuel Payment and how much you could get.