PENSIONERS have just one month left to claim an extra £332.95 which will see them receive a winter fuel payment of up to £300.

The funds can be claimed by anyone over 66 who is entitled to pension credit.

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Pension credit It is a vital benefit intended to supplement the income of the UK’s poorest pensioners, but it is estimated that up to 880,000 eligible people will not benefit from it.

The benefit is currently £218.15 per week if you are single or £332.95 if you are in a relationship.

Pension Credit also automatically entitles you to winter fuel payments, worth up to £300.

In July, the government announced Winter fuel payment would be means tested, meaning only those in receipt of certain benefits, including pension credit, would be eligible.

Previously, the annual payment was available to anyone aged 66 or over – current status pension age.

People on Pension creditIncome support, tax credits and universal credit remain eligible for payment, but 10 million people will lose it.

To be eligible for this year’s benefit, you must have had an active application for one of the eligible benefits during what’s called “qualifying week” – this year it was September 16-22.

However, pension credit claims can be backdated of three months, so those who think they may be eligible still have one month to apply.

As long as applications are made before December 21, successful applicants can access this year’s winter fuel payment.

Even if you think you’re not eligible, it’s worth checking, as even a small claim for pension credit could increase your bank balance.

Regarding payment for winter fuel, the amount you receive depends on your age.

If you are aged 66 to 79 you will receive £200, while those aged 80 and over will receive £300.

Pension Credit is a government benefit designed to supplement your weekly income if you are a state pensioner on a low income.

The service consists of two parts: the guarantee credit and the savings credit.

Guaranteed credit increases your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single or your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner.

The savings credit is additional money you get if you have savings or your income is above the basic amount of the full state pension – £169.50.

The savings credit is only available to people who have reached state retirement age before April 6, 2016.

Usually, you are only eligible for pension credit if your income is below the thresholds of £218.15 or £332.95.

However, you may sometimes be entitled to Savings Credit or Guaranteed Credit if your income is above the threshold, depending on your situation.

For example, if you suffer from a serious illness disability and claiming Care allowancealong with other benefits, you can get an extra £81.50 per week.

Meanwhile, you can get either an extra £66.29 per week or £76.79 per week for each child you are responsible and caring.

The rules governing eligibility for Pension Credit can be complicated, so the best thing to do is to check.

You can do this using the government’s pension credit calculator on its website.

But be careful, more than a third of pension credit applications were rejected last year, according to official figures seen by The Sun.

In response, the Sun asked experts for their advice on completing a successful application.

Former construction worker Richard Holden had been chasing the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to approve his pension credit application for almost a year, before The Sun helped him secure a payout of more than £4,000.

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