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Pension Credit – extra help for pensioners

Are you single and have a weekly income of less than £201.05 or £306.85 if you have a partner? If so, you might be able to join the many people in already receiving Pension Credit

For people who have reached State Pension age, Pension Credit can top up weekly income to £201.05 for single people or £306.85 if you're a couple.

If you reached State Pension Age before April 2016, you may be entitled to extra money if you have made some provision towards your retirement such as savings or a private pension. This is called Savings Credit and could mean up to an extra £15.94 a week (for single people) or £17.84 a week (for couples). So you’re likely to be entitled to some Pension Credit even if your weekly income is £218.80 (single people) or £319.20 (couples).

Even if your income is more, you may still be able to get Pension Credit if for example, you or your partner are severely disabled, are a carer or have housing costs such as mortgage interest payments. On top of that, you may also get help with council tax, heating bills and if you are over 75, a free TV licence.

To help further, if you apply for Pension Credit you may be able to get up to 3 months backdated payment from the day you were first entitled up to the date you apply. Some people have had as much as £1,000 with their backdated payment.

Around 1.4million people are already in receipt of Pension Credit and you may be able to join them. Take a look at the online calculator on GOV.UK to find out what you might get. Claims can be made online at http://www.gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling the freephone Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (textphone 0800 169 0133). If you prefer, you can ask a friend or relative to help or call on your behalf. Paper forms are also available.

For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/pension-credit.

Entitlement to Pension Credit establishes a gateway to other benefits, access to Social Fund loans and help with energy efficiency measures. For more information on keeping warm and well in winter people can visit www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.