The financial expert says nearly a million older people could get the money by doing a single thing - and it is free Get the latest money news from the Daily Record with our weekly newsletter We have more newsletters Get the latest money news from the Daily Record with our weekly newsletter We have more newsletters Money guru Martin Lewis is calling on hundreds of thousands of pensioners to do one thing - and it is completely free. Nearly a million people aged over 66 could get the money by making a single phone call Speaking on Good Morning Britain (GMB) earlier this week he said they need to check if they qualify for Pension Credit which he says is "chronically under-claimed". The founder of MoneySavingExpert (MSE.
com) says if they are found to have any entitlement to the benefit - even £1 - it opens the doors to cash support which is only given to people awarded a means-tested benefit. This not only includes help with dental and optician costs but it will also mean they will get the Winter Fuel Payments, worth up to £300. This benefit was previously available to all pensioners but under plans from the Labour government only those receiving pension credit will now qualify.
Martin said there were two ways of checking - either to go online using the GOV.UK calculator or by making a simple phone call to the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 to see if they should make a claim. Martin told the TV show viewers: “It’s all a bit complicated so let’s make this really, really, really simple.
If you're a low income pensioner and you’re struggling and you don’t get Pension Credit, just go online and do the calculator to see if you’re due it, or if online scares you, call up the Pension Credit helpline and talk to someone. “You will not be told off for asking if you are due Pension Credit. If you’re not due Pension Credit, they’ll just tell you.
” The consumer expert says there is a quick way to check. For the decision will come down to what your income is. Single pensioners Couples How to check eligibility for Pension Credit You can check eligibility either for yourself or someone else through the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.
UK . Or if you prefer not to go online call the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Help and advice is also available from: Pension credit is a benefit aimed at helping state pensioners on a low income.
It gives money towards living costs but also opens the door to a range of other benefits. It tops up income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.
95 for couples. People with a severe disability, carers and those who are responsible for a child or a young person who lives with them could receive additional money. Couples of "mixed age" can only claim the benefit when both reach State Pension age.
However if you are awarded Pension Credit you can also get help including: To use the calculator on GOV.UK , you will need details for both yourself and your partner, if you have one, of: earnings, benefits and pensions savings and investments You will need to answer a number of multiple-choice questions. This includes: Once you have completed these you will be able to check your responses before submitting.
The Pension Credit calculator will then tell you how much benefit you could receive each week. You will then be asked to follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP. This includes 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. 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 or anytime after you reach State Pension age.Y our claim can only be backdated for three months.
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.
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