The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has outlined those of State Pension age who could be eligible for additional Pension Credit. They include those with a low income, who are in receipt of Attendance Allowance or the middle or highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
This also applies to pensioners claiming the new Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). The disability element of Pension Credit is currently valued at £82.90 per week, equating to £331.60 every four-week pay cycle.
In the same vein, a couple claiming Pension Credit where one partner is receiving a disability benefit, will also pocket an extra £82.90 each week. If someone is on Carer’s Allowance, they might be entitled to an additional weekly Pension Credit of £46.40.
Elderly individuals may also qualify for this extra Pension Credit if they’re entitled to Carer’s Allowance but aren’t receiving it, or are getting it at a reduced rate, because they’re being paid a higher amount by another income-related benefit such as the State Pension – a situation often referred to as an ‘underlying entitlement’.
Nearly 1.4 million pensioners across Great Britain are currently benefiting from Pension Credit. The DWP recently confirmed that this could provide an average of £4,300 in support over the coming year, reports the Daily Record.
However, fresh data from the DWP indicates that there are still over 700,000 pensioners who are eligible but not claiming the benefits they’re entitled to.
There’s a common misconception among some older folks that having savings or owning their home disqualifies them from this means-tested benefit. Yet, it can provide assistance with housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax.
Pension Credit boosts weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £227.10 for single pensioners or £346.60 for couples. It’s a tax-free payment for those who:
- Have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
- Live in Great Britain
Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are currently open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert help and advice is also available from:
Pension Credit in a nutshell
Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also provide access to a range of other benefits.
The benefit tops up income to a minimum of £227.10 per week for single pensioners and £346.60 for couples – more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.
Other help if you get 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
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law changed so a ‘mixed age couple’ – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a ‘working age’ couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be 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 by 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
Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week.
All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including 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. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.
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
How to make a claim
You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for 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 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:
- you have already claimed your State Pension
- there are no children or young people included in your claim
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.
