He says, “Usually in order to secure entitlement to a Winter Fuel Payment, you have to be in receipt of Pension Credit in what is called the Winter Fuel Payment ‘Qualifying Week’. “Therefore the latest date on which people can claim Pension Credit and backdate to secure entitlement to the Winter Fuel Payment is 21 December 2024. “Of course, there is the double benefit of not only securing entitlement to the Winter Fuel Payment but also securing Pension Credit entitlement.