Martin Lewis explains how nearly a million people could get extra £4k with one simple call

Martin Lewis is calling on hundreds of thousands of pensioners to do one thing – and it is completely free. According to the money guru, nearly a million people aged over 66 could get the money by making a single phone call.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain (GMB) earlier this week he said they need to check if they qualify for what he describes as the “chronically under-claimed” Pension Credit. The founder of MoneySavingExpert (MSE.com) says if they are found to have any entitlement to the benefit – even £1 – it opens the doors to cash support which is only given to people awarded a means-tested benefit.

This not only includes help with dental and optician costs but it will also mean they will get the Winter Fuel Payments, worth up to £300. This benefit was previously available to all pensioners but under plans from the Labour Government only those receiving pension credit will now qualify.

Martin said there were two ways of checking – either to go online using the GOV.UK calculator or by making a simple phone call to the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 to see if they should make a claim, reports the Daily Record. Martin told the TV show viewers: “It’s all a bit complicated so let’s make this really, really, really simple. If you’re a low income pensioner and you’re struggling and you don’t get Pension Credit, just go online and do the calculator to see if you’re due it, or if online scares you, call up the Pension Credit helpline and talk to someone.”

“You will not be told off for asking if you are due Pension Credit. If you’re not due Pension Credit, they’ll just tell you. The consumer expert says there is a quick way to check. For the decision will come down to what your income is.

Single pensioners

• Weekly income under £218 – you are likely to get it
• Weekly income under £235 – you may get it

Couples

• Combined weekly income under £333 – you are likely to get it
• Combined weekly income under £350 – you may get it

How to check eligibility for Pension Credit:

You can check eligibility either for yourself or someone else through the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK. Or if you prefer not to go online call the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Help and advice is also available from:

Pension credit is a benefit aimed at helping state pensioners on a low income. It gives money towards living costs but also opens the door to a range of other benefits. It tops up income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples.

People with a severe disability, carers and those who are responsible for a child or a young person who lives with them could receive additional money. Couples of “mixed age” can only claim the benefit when both reach State Pension age.

However if you are awarded Pension Credit you can also get help including:

• 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

Way to use the Pension Credit calculator

To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details for both yourself and your partner, if you have one, of:

You will need to answer a number of multiple-choice questions.

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

Once you have completed these you will be able to check your responses before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator will then tell you how much benefit you could receive each week.

You will then be asked to follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP. This includes access to other financial support.

There’s also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again.

Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?

You cannot use the calculator 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

Way to make a claim

You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age or anytime after you reach State Pension age.Y our claim can only be backdated for three months.

You will need:

• your National Insurance number

• information about your income, savings and investments

• your bank account details, if you’re applying by phone or by post

If you’re backdating your claim, you’ll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.

Apply online

You can use the online service if:

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.

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