Over the past few weeks there has been a great deal of information on TV, in the papers and online discussing Pension Credit.
This has been triggered by the Government now means-testing eligibility for the Winter Fuel Allowance, which is now limited to those in receipt of Pension Credit. However, the very worrying statistic is how many people are eligible for this support, but do not claim it.
We hope this article will help anyone who has not checked their eligibility for Pension Credit and may be eligible.
Overview
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 charge
Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.
If you get Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:
Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
Winter Fuel Payment
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, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit
help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house
Eligibility
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit.
If you have a partner, 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
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 £218.15 if you’re single
your joint weekly income to £332.95 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.
What counts as income
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’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.
What you'll get
Pension Credit tops up:
your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single
your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner
You may get extra amounts if you have other responsibilities and costs.
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What to do next
To find out more  and apply, please visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit
You can also call Pension Credit claim lineTelephone: 0800 99 1234
If you have any Additional queries please call
Citizens Advice Bureau on 0808 278 7957 or
AgeUK 0800 0556112.
Don’t forget we also hold CAB Sessions here at The Brightwell, please call 01454 201686 to book an appointment.
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