in 2024/2025, the DWP received 321,000 pension credit applications, an increase of 69,900 (28 per cent) compared to 2023/2024;
in the period since the announcement on 29 July 2024 that the winter fuel payment would be means tested, the DWP has received 285,600 pension credit claims, with 96,200 extra applications made (a 51 per cent increase) compared with the same period in 2023/2024 (31 July 2023 to 26 May 2024);
the DWP cleared 308,800 pension credit claims, a 74 per cent increase or 131,300 extra clearances on 2023/2024; and
of the cleared claims, 162,800 were awarded (a 57 per cent increase or 45,800 extra awards on 2023/2024); and 146,000 claims were not awarded (a 99 per cent increase or 72,500 extra claims not awarded) compared to 2023/2024.
