Who is eligible for government support and if it’s means tested

Pensioners have been encouraged to check whether they are eligible for extra help in the form of Pension Credit.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) made Wednesday 15 June the Pension Credit Day of Action, as many throughout the country may be missing out on money they are entitled to.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Pension Credit?

The Government says: “Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.”

It is separate from your state pension, and you can get it even if you have other income, some savings or own your own home.

If you get Pension Credit you may 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
• a council tax discount
• a free TV licence if you’re 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
• a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house.

How much is Pension Credit?

When you apply for Pension Credit your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together.

Pension Credit tops up:

• your weekly income to £182.60 if you’re single
• your joint weekly income to £278.70 if you have a partner

If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.

You may get extra amounts if you have other responsibilities and costs, such as caring for another person or children.

How do I claim?

Apply online here or you can call the Pension Credit claim line Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm:

Telephone: 0800 99 1234
Textphone: 0800 169 0133
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 99 1234
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet

To apply by post, print out and fill in the Pension Credit claim form or call the claim line to request a form.

Send the claim form to the Pension Service, or ask someone to do it for you.

The Pension Service 8
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AN

DWP says: “You can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.

“You can apply any time after you reach state pension age 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.”

You must have the following information to hand:

• national insurance number
• Information about income, savings and investments
• Information about income, savings and investments on the date a person wants to backdate their application to
• Bank account details

Who is entitled to Pension Credit?

It is important to know if Pension Credit is something you are entitled to.

Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis says: “Are you (or is someone you know) age 66-plus with total income under £200/wk. If so check if you are entitled to Pension Credit https://gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator…

“It’s a national tragedy up to 1m pensions are missing out amid a cost of living crisis. Avg payout is £3,300”.

Who can claim?

You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached state pension age to qualify.

You must include your partner on your application.

You’ll be eligible if either:

• you and your partner have both reached state pension age
• one of you is getting housing benefit for people over state pension age

A partner is either:

• your husband, wife or civil partner – if you live with them
• someone you live with as a couple, without being married or in a civil partnership

Your income plays a part in how much you can claim or if you’re entitled.

How do they calculate your income?

Your income includes:

• state pension
• other pensions
• earnings from employment and self-employment
• most social security benefits, for example Carer’s Allowance

What does not count as income

Not all benefits are counted as income. For example, the following are not counted:

• Adult Disability Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Christmas Bonus
• Child Benefit
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• social fund payments like Winter Fuel Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Reduction

If you’ve deferred your pension

If you’re entitled to a personal or workplace pension and you have not claimed it yet, the amount you’d expect to get still counts as income.

If you’ve deferred your State Pension, the amount of State Pension you would get is counted as income.

You cannot build up extra amounts for deferring your State Pension if you or your partner are getting Pension Credit.

Your savings and investments

If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments this will not affect your Pension Credit.

If you have more than £10,000, every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.