An estimated 880,000 people could be eligible for Pension Credit which now provides access to Winter Fuel Payments. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that the UK Government will work with external partners and local authorities to “boost the uptake” of Pension Credit and to “target additional support to those who need it most”. The post on social media confirms Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ plan to get more people of State Pension age claiming the annual income top-up worth an average of £3,900.
Last week, the Chancellor announced that Winter Fuel Payments will no longer be paid to all State Pensioners, but will instead only be issued to those on income-related benefits such as Pension Credit. She also said the UK Government would drive take-up by looking at Housing Benefit claimants - administered by local authorities across Great Britain - to flag up potential entitlement for Pension Credit. Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off lump sum worth between £100 and £300 designed to help cover the costs of higher heating bills during the colder months.
The latest DWP figures suggest around 880,000 older people are eligible for Pension Credit, but not claiming. Pension Credit currently provides financial support and access to other benefits and discounts to 1.4 million people across Great Britain, including nearly 127,000 living in Scotland.
Older people in receipt of Universal Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance will also continue to receive Winter Fuel Payments. The DWP is also urging people to use the online Pension Credit calculator to find out if “you, a relative or a friend could be eligible for the additional support that Pension Credit provides”. 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 open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Expert help and advice is also available from: Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it and how much you could get.
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 £218.
15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples - more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities. An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support, including Winter Fuel Payments.
If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as: 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.
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: 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. 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 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.
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. Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group for money-saving tips, the latest benefits news, energy updates and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
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