It’s quick and easy to find out how much you could be entitled to.
If you’re still not sure, let’s clear up some Pension Credit confusion…
1. ‘If I were eligible, someone would have told me or contacted me.’
You won’t know you’re eligible unless you check. You could be eligible if your weekly income is below £201.05 if you’re single or £306.85 if you have a partner – Pension Credit tops up to those amounts.
And you won’t get it unless you apply – online, by post or by phone (on 0800 99 1234).
Don’t forget: every year, £1.7 billion of Pension Credit goes unclaimed by older people.
2. ‘It’s too complicated and time-consuming to find out.’
It’s quick and easy to use the online Pension Credit calculator to find out how much you could get. You don’t need to give any personal details to check, you’ll just need your earnings, benefits, pension and any savings and investments info.
You can then apply online, over the phone or by post, whichever is easiest for you.
3. ‘Pension Credit won’t make much difference in this cost of living crisis.’
Even if you only qualify for a small amount of Pension Credit, a successful application means you’ll also be eligible for additional cost of living payments that the Government is making.
You could get help with your heating bills (through the Warm Home Discount Scheme and through Cold Weather Payments), housing costs, council tax and NHS dental care. And if you’re over 75, you can get a free TV licence.
4. ‘Pension Credit is the same as the Help for Households Cost of Living payments’
No, Pension Credit is a stand-alone, separate benefit. It’s to help low-income pensioner households with daily living costs.
The Cost of Living payments are in addition, up to £900, and you will automatically get them if you are eligible for Pension Credit. However, you will need to apply for the Pension Credit payments.
5. ‘I have a small private pension, so I don’t think I’ll get it.’
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed level of £201.05 or, if you have a partner who lives with you, £306.85. This could even be higher in some circumstances.
You might still be entitled to this tax-free payment even if you have a retirement income from a private pension. It’s worth checking!
6: ‘I’ve got savings and own my home, so I won’t qualify.’
Owning your home doesn’t stop you getting Pension Credit. And you can have up to £10,000 in savings and investments and still receive the full amount.
Every £500 over that sum counts as £1 income a week. So, £11,000, for example, counts as £2 in income per week.
*To be eligible you must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age. Full criteria can be found here. Residents in Northern Ireland should visit NI Direct.
