Millions of pensioners urged to check if they qualify for extra help worth up to £3,300 a year

MILLIONS of pensioners have been urged to check whether they could get extra help worth £3,300 a year.

Many retirees don’t realised they’re eligible for extra financial help to boost their pension pot.

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You can get Pension Credit if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income.

The charity Age UK has urged older people to check if they’re entitled to the benefit, which could be worth more than £3,300 a year.

It comes as households across the UK are struggling with the rising cost of living, as energy bills and food costs soar.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said earlier this year: “Claiming Pension Credit alone could have a life-changing impact by opening the door to a wealth of additional support. 

“Any older person who is finding it difficult to pay their bills, or who is worried about staying warm, can call us today – if we help you to submit a successful claim it could make all the difference.

“There really is no downside to checking you are receiving everything you are entitled to, so please come forward and let us help you make sure.

“Even if you are there may be other sources of help we can direct you to instead.”

You can call Age UK for free on 0800 678 1602 or check your entitlements online using a benefits calculator.

How much Pension Credit could I get?

The basic rate tops your income up to £182.60 a week for single people and £278.70 for couples – although you could get more depending on your personal circumstances.

If you have a severe disability you could get an extra £69.40 a week or an additional £38.85 if you are a carer.

Claimants who are responsible for children will get another £56.35 a week for each young person, or £66.85 a week for the first child if they were born before 6 April 2017.

According to the latest government statistics from January the average award is £64 a week.

Over the course of a year that adds up to £3,328.

How can I apply for Pension Credit?

To qualify, either you, or your partner if you live with one, must have reached State Pension age, which is currently set at 66.

You also need to live in England, Scotland or Wales

Your household income will be calculated when you apply, and if you fall short of the thresholds you will be awarded a top-up amount.

Your income includes:

• State Pension
• other pensions
• earnings from employment and self-employment
• most social security benefits, for example Carer’s Allowance

If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments this will not affect your Pension Credit.

If you have more than £10,000, every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 worth of weekly income.

You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age.

You can apply any time after you reach State Pension age but your application can only be backdated by three months.

You can use the online service if:

• you have already applied for your State Pension
• there are no children or young people included in your application

You can apply online using the government service.

Alternatively, you can apply by phone on the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

To apply by post, print out and fill in the Pension Credit claim form or call the claim line to request one.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk