People are being warned abut pension credit with the government reminding people that they are running out of time to claim a boost.
Written on the Gov.uk website, they state that people have 10 days to claim pension credit and qualify for extra £324 in their pockets this month.
They say that the average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,500 per year and as a result, those who claim the credit by December 18 could also be entitled to the £324 cost of living payment in a bid to help those struggling with their finances.
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The reminder comes as the Minister for Pensions, Laura Trott, urges pensioners to check if they qualify for the Pension Credit.
If so, claims can easily be made online or over the phone. People are also being urged to use the Pension Credit calculator to see if they are eligible. The calculator will also estimate what they may receive.
Minister for Pensions Laura Trott is now calling on pensioners across the UK to ensure they have checked whether or not they can claim as soon as possible to ensure they stand the best chance of qualifying for an extra £324 cost of living payment.
The deadline, December 18, is just 10 days away meaning time is almost running out for those who have not yet checked. At present, over 11.6 million pensioners across the UK are receiving payments of up to £600 to help with their energy bills this winter.
The Gov.uk website explains: "Pension Credit claims can be backdated for up to three months – as long as the applicant was also eligible to receive it during that time. The average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,500 a year and even a small Pension Credit award can provide access to a wide range of other benefits – such as help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills – in addition to the extra cost of living payments.
What is Pension Credit?
According to the government, it is designed to help people over State Pension age and on a low income with daily living costs. However, despite its name, you do not need to be in receipt of State Pension to receive it.
They added: "It tops up a person’s income to a minimum of £182.60 per week for single pensioners and to £278.70 for couples. To ensure that a successful backdated claim falls within the qualifying period for the extra £324 cost of living help, eligible pensioners are being urged to claim Pension Credit as soon as possible, and by no later than 18 December 2022."
Minister for Pensions Laura Trott added: "The run-up to Christmas is always a busy time, but one thing to make sure that’s on your list over the coming days is to find out whether you or your loved ones could be eligible for Pension Credit.
"Pension Credit can make a real difference and I am determined to make sure this support – worth an average of £3,500 per year – is reaching everyone who needs it."
Applications for Pension Credit can be made by doing the following:
- On the How to Claim page
- Over the phone by calling 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm)
- By printing out and filling in a paper application form
- For more information visit the Pension Credit GOV.UK page. For extra resources for stakeholders and businesses, the department has also produced a Stakeholder Toolkit
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