New Pension Credit claims made before December 21 can be backdated by up to three months. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed nearly 78 per cent of all new claims for Pension Credit are processed - from initial application to award decision letter - within the target timeframe of 50 working days. This means older people on a low income making a new claim this month, especially those living on their own, could receive their first payment and any arrears by the end of October.
If you are a single person on the New State Pension with a total weekly income below £218.15, or part of a couple with a combined weekly incomes of less than £332.95, you may be eligible for Pension Credit.
Similarly, if you are over 65 and reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, you may still qualify for Pension Credit if your weekly income is less than £260.68 if you are single or £380.55 if you are part of a couple.
Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving the means-tested benefit that could provide an average of £3,900 in support during the year ahead. However, the latest figures from the DWP suggest there are still 880,000 eligible pensioners not claiming the benefit they are entitled to.
Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, heating bi.