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Octopus Energy is advising state pensioners across the UK to claim a benefit worth £2,677 per year on average from the Department of Work and Pensions before winter. The major energy supplier states that as many as 850,000 of its UK customers have not claimed Pension Credit yet and are missing out on thousands of pounds worth of financial support, reports Express.co.uk. Pension Credit provides people who have reached State Pension age in England, Scotland and Wales with extra cash to help with essential living costs and is paid separately to the State Pension. READ MORE: Martin Lewis poses two scenarios over 'major VAT changes on energy bills' Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp , click the link to join The benefit tops up your weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single, or your joint weekly income to £346.60 if you have a partner, however it also unlocks access to a wealth of other support. If you get Pension Credit you can also get access to things like Housing Benefit, a Council Tax discount, the Winter Fuel Payment and assistance with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme. As such, Octopus Energy is urging state pensioners who are worried about paying their bills this winter to see if they are eligible for Pension Credit, as it will provide access to important support during the colder months. The supplier said: “850,000 UK customers haven’t claimed pension credit yet – missing out on support of £2,677 a year on average. "Our Octopus Assist application will tell you if you’re eligible for any support and we can help customers apply for those. “Our team are working with 60+ local authorities to make sure customers in their communities know how to access support (from Octopus Assist and government schemes like pension credit) to cover their bills and keep warm. “If you are eligible for Winter Fuel Payments , you may also be eligible for: You can submit an application for Pension Credit up to four months before you reach State Pension age and you can apply any time afterwards, but your application can only be backdated by three months. This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time. Applications for Pension Credit can be made online via GOV.UK, or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234. To apply you’ll need your National Insurance number, information about any savings, income and investments you have, and your bank account details.
