Can I get Pension Credit? How to figure out if you’re entitled to up to £3,900 free cash plus Winter Fuel Payment
HUNDREDS of thousands of pensioners feeling the pinch are failing to claim Pension Credit with around £2billion going unclaimed each year.
Not only do you miss out on payments averaging of £3,900 each year, but Pension Credit also unlocks further financial help and support worth thousands more.
The benefit is designed to help older people on low incomes who may otherwise struggle to manage everyday living costs.
Yet, there are up to an estimated 880,000 households across the UK eligible for Pension Credit who are yet to claim.
The benefit is different and separate from your State Pension.
On top of the cash payments, Pension Credit opens doors to other support, including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with housing costs, council tax and heating bills.
It is important to claim if you can so that you can get all the financial help that is available to you.
Who is eligible?
You could be eligible for Pension Credit if you are aged 66 or older and your income is below £218.15 a week if you’re single or £332.95 as a couple – this is known as the ‘guarantee’ part of the credit.
Even if your income is higher, you could claim if you meet other criteria, such as being a carer, having a disability, have extra housing costs such as service charges or have a child or young person living with you.
If you have more than £10,000 in savings, you could find that your payments may be cut or reduced – but it is still worth applying even if you only get a little extra each week.
You could get the “savings credit” part of pension credit if you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, and you saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension.
This is worth £17.01 for single people or £19.04 for couples.
How do I apply?
Applications need to be made on the government website gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling 0800 99 1234.
You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you’ll need to be with them when they do.
You can also claim by post but you’ll need to download and complete the form from the gov.uk website or call for one to be sent out to you.
You then need to send completed forms to Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3.
When applying you’ll need your National Insurance number, as well as information about income, savings and investments.
You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age – currently 66. You can claim any time after reaching State Pension age but your application can only be backdated by three months, making it even more important to claim as soon as you are entitled.
Where can i get help?
The Sun’s Winter Fuel SOS campaign will see a team of experts help answer your queries on energy bills, the Winter Fuel Payment and how to qualify, you can email questions to winterfuelSOS@the-sun.co.uk or call 0800 028 1978.
There are free online benefit calculators that you can use to see how much you might be able to claim and through which benefit including Pension Credit.
Age UK has a free and anonymous Benefits Calculator at benefitscheck.ageuk.org.uk.
Use Policy in Practice’s calculator to find out which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have leftover each month after paying for housing costs.
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what means-tested benefits you might be entitled to, as well as whether you qualify for carers allowance.
In England and Wales you can also get in person help through your local Citizens Advice.
Find out more via: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us
Or you can call Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8848 in England or 0800 702 2020 in Wales.
What extra help do i get with Pension Credit?
When you claim Pension Credit, you will also qualify for further support including the Winter Fuel Payment.
In total this extra help can add up to an extra £9,665 a year, according to Policy in Practice.
This includes:
- The Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300 paid automatically each year
- A one-off payment of £150 through the Warm Home Discount Scheme to help with the cost of energy this winter
- A Cold Weather Payment of £25 a week, which is paid automatically when the average temperature is 0°C or below over seven consecutive days
- Housing benefit worth up to £4,338 a year
- Council tax support of £1,670 a year
- Water bill discount of £160 a year
- Cheaper broadband and phone deals worth up to £200 a year
- Free NHS dental treatment and help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital
- A free TV licence if you’re over-75 worth £175
Crucial to claim Pension Credit if you can
HUNDREDS of thousands of pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit.
The Sun’s Assistant Consumer Editor Lana Clements explains why it’s imperative to apply for the benefit..
Pension Credit is designed to top up the income of the UK’s poorest pensioners.
In itself the payment is a vital lifeline for older people with little income.
It will take weekly income up to to £218.15 if you’re single or joint income to £332.95.
Yet, an estimated 800,000 don’t claim this support. Not only are they missing on this cash, but far more extra support that is unlocked when claiming Pension Credit.
With the winter fuel payment – worth up to £300 now being restricted to pensioners claiming Pension Credit – it’s more important than ever to claim the benefit if you can.
Pension Credit also opens up help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills and even a free TV licence if you are 75 or older.
All this extra support can make a huge difference to the quality of life for a struggling pensioner.
It’s not difficult to apply for Pension Credit, you can do it up to four months before you reach state pension age through the government website or by calling 0800 99 1234.
You’ll just need your National Insurance number, as well as information about income, savings and investments.