Make sure you claim – Pension Credit.
Liberal Democrat councillor Howard Sykes says: “Please check if you are eligible or if a relative is as many who are do not claim. As well as losing out on benefits pensioners are entitled to they will also now lose the £200-£300 winter fuel payment unless claiming pension credits.”
Nearly 1.4 million elderly individuals across Great Britain, including over 126,800 residing in Scotland, are currently benefiting from the means-tested benefit that could offer an average of £3,900 in support for the upcoming year. Despite this, recent data from the DWP indicates that there are still 880,000 eligible pensioners who are not claiming the benefit they are entitled to.
There’s a common misconception among some elderly people that having savings or owning their home makes them ineligible for the means-tested benefit. This benefit can also provide assistance with housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax.
Even an award as small as £1 per week can unlock additional support.
Pension Credit supplements weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 a week for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. It is a tax-free payment.
The quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Elderly individuals, or their friends and family, can swiftly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK.
Alternatively, pensioners can reach out to the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert help and advice is also available from:
Below is a summary of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it and how much you could potentially receive.
Pension Credit breakdown
Pension Credit is a benefit that provides additional funds to help with living expenses for those over the State Pension age and on a low income. It also opens up access to a variety of other benefits.
The benefit boosts income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples – more if an individual has a disability or caring responsibilities.
Additional assistance if you receive Pension Credit
If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax discount
- Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme and Winter Fuel Payment
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Mixed-aged older couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, legislation was altered so that a ‘mixed age couple’ – a pair where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is not – are deemed to be a ‘working age’ couple when assessing entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This implies they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners reach State Pension age. Prior to this DWP alteration, a mixed-age couple could have been eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.
How to use the Pension Credit calculator
To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of:
- earnings, benefits and pensions
- savings and investments
You’ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented with a series of questions with multiple-choice answer options.
This includes:
- Your date of birth
- Your residential status
- Where in the UK you live
- Whether you are registered blind
- Which benefits you currently receive
- How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
- Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
- How much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensions
- Any employment earnings
- Any savings, investments or bonds you have
After answering the required questions, a summary screen will display your responses, giving you the opportunity to review and amend any answers before final submission. The Pension Credit calculator will then reveal the potential weekly benefit you could be entitled to.
Following this, simply click on the link that directs you to the application page to discover exactly what you could receive from the DWP, including access to other financial support.
For convenience, there’s an option to print off your responses from the calculator tool. This can assist in speeding up the application process as you won’t need to recall the same details again.
The Pension Credit calculator cannot be used if you or your partner:
- are deferring your State Pension.
- own more than one property.
- are self-employed.
- have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit.
How to make a claim
To make a claim, you can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. Claims can be made any time after reaching State Pension age but can only be backdated for three months.
This means you could receive up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that period.
You will need your National Insurance number to proceed with the application.
Details about your income, savings and investments, as well as your bank account details if you’re applying by phone or post, are required. If you’re backdating your claim, you’ll need to provide information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.
You can apply online if you have already claimed your State Pension and there are no children or young people included in your claim. To verify your entitlement, ring the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or utilise the GOV.
To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.