The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced plans to try and get approximately 850,000 people over the age of 66 to check if they are eligible for a gateway benefit.
The UK Government department's 'Day of Action' on June 15 was intended to encourage more older people to apply for financial support amid the cost of living crisis.
It was backed by financial expert Martin Lewis, who asked older people to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit — either by phoning the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or using of the UK Government's online Pension Credit calculator.
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Hundreds of thousands of people are missing out on as much as £182.60 a week if they are single, or £278.70 a week if they are in a couple, through the benefit.
As reported by the Daily Record, those who are carers or who have a disability or health condition may be eligible for larger payments.
In addition, older people who start a Pension Credit claim now may qualify for the second half of the £650 Cost of Living payment due this autumn.
Other help if you get Pension Credit
As well as the money itself, Pension Credit claimants may also receive:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax discount
- Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Senior pensions and retirement analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown Helen Morrissey stated: “Pension Credit boosts the income of the poorest pensioners and yet it remains woefully under-claimed.
“The UK Government-backed day of action aims to raise awareness of Pension Credit which is vital in making sure more pensioners get the support they need, particularly during the current cost of living crisis.
“This is often because people don’t know what Pension Credit is and there are also several myths that need to be addressed as they stand in the way of people getting what they are entitled to.”
She added: “Firstly, many people believe you cannot claim Pension Credit if you own your own home, but this is not the case. Similarly, you can also claim this benefit if you have savings. Having £10,000 or less in savings and investments will not affect your entitlement to Pension Credit.
“Another key reason to claim Pension Credit is that it acts as a valuable gateway to other benefits such as help with NHS costs such as glasses, and if you are over age 75 you can get a free TV licence. Over time the value of these extra benefits can really add up and have a huge impact on your standard of living.”
Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit
A change to the law in 2019 meant that, from then on, couples in which one person is under the State Pension age and the other is over the State Pension age were classified as a 'working age' couple.
As a result, they are now not eligible for Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they have both reached the State Pension age.
How to use the Pension Credit calculator
In order to make use of the online Pension Credit calculator, you will need information regarding your earnings, benefits and pensions, and savings and investments — as well as the same for your partner if you have one.
Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?
You are not able to use the online tool if either you or your partner are deferring your State Pension, own more than a single property, are self-employed, or have housing costs that are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit.
How to make a claim
You are able to begin the application process as early as four months prior to reaching the State Pension age.
You can also start claiming the benefit any time after passing the State Pension age, but it can only be backdated up to three months.
As a result, you are able to get as much as three months worth of Pension Credit in your first payment.
To make a claim, you will need your National Insurance number, information about your income, savings and investments, as well as your bank account details if you are applying via phone or by post.
Those who are backdating their claim will also require information regarding their income, savings and investments on the date they want their claim to start.
Apply online
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.
