The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled fresh plans to boost the uptake of , a means-tested benefit designed to support low-income pensioners by increasing their annual income by an average of £4,300.
Pensions Minister Torsten Bell revealed that the DWP is now proactively reaching out to all pensioners who submit new claims for Housing Benefit and appear to be eligible for Pension Credit, in a bid to encourage this specific group to make a claim.
He said: "In the longer term, we will be bringing together the administration of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit, so that pensioners receive both Housing Benefit and any Pension Credit that they are entitled to."
This announcement follows a query from Labour MP Imran Hussain regarding Pension Credit. According to DWP estimates, approximately 760,000 pensioners are eligible but not claiming the benefit, which can also provide additional support for housing costs, heating bills, and Council Tax.
In a written response earlier this week, the DWP Minister said: "The Government wants all pensioners to get the support to which they are rightly entitled. That is why we have been running the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign, which included adverts on Television, radio, social media such as Facebook and Instagram, on YouTube, on advertising screens, including on GP and Post Office screens as well as in the press."
"Around 11 million pensioners will have also recently received a leaflet promoting Pension Credit along with their State Pension uprating letter," reports .
A brief overview of Pension Credit:
An award of Pension Credit as little as £1 per week can unlock additional support. The DWP has recently confirmed that nearly 78 percent of all new claims for Pension Credit are processed - from the initial application to the award decision letter - within the target timeframe of 50 working days (10 weeks).
This implies that older individuals on a low income and who make a new claim this month could receive their first payment and any arrears by July.
It's vital for all older people - whether single, married or cohabiting - to ensure they are claiming all the extra financial support they are entitled to this year to help increase their income and counteract the ongoing cost of living crisis.
When you apply for Pension Credit, your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your incomes are calculated together.
Pension Credit supplements:If your income is higher, you might still qualify for Pension Credit if you have a disability, care for someone, have savings or have housing costs.
What is considered as income?Your income includes:
Not all benefits are counted as income. For instance, the following are not included:
If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments, this will not impact your Pension Credit. If your savings exceed £10,000, every additional £500 is considered as £1 income per week. For instance, if you have £11,000 in savings, it's counted as £2 weekly income.
To determine eligibility for Pension Credit. Elderly individuals, or their friends and family, can swiftly verify their eligibility and obtain an estimate of potential benefits using the online Pension Credit calculator available on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can directly reach out to the Pension Credit helpline to file a claim by dialling 0800 99 1234 - lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday through Friday.
Expert guidance and advice can also be sought from:
Additional information about claiming Pension Credit can be found on GOV.UK .
Additional assistance for Pension Credit recipients:If you're eligible for Pension Credit, you may also qualify for other forms of aid, such as:
In May 2019, legislation was altered so that 'mixed age couples' - where one partner has reached State Pension age and the other hasn't - are now classified as a 'working age' couple when assessing entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This implies they cannot apply for Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners have attained State Pension age. Prior to this DWP amendment, a mixed age couple could potentially claim the more generous State Pension age benefits once one partner had reached State Pension age.
How to utilise the Pension Credit calculator:
To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you'll need details of:
The same information will be required for your partner if you have one. You'll be asked a series of multiple-choice questions.
These include:
After answering these questions, a summary screen will display your responses, allowing you to review and amend any answers before submission. The Pension Credit calculator will then reveal the potential weekly benefit you could receive.
Next, simply follow the link to the application page to discover exactly what you can expect from the DWP, including access to other financial support.
There's also an option to print your responses from the calculator tool, which can expedite the application process by eliminating the need to re-enter the same details. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or a family member to ensure you're claiming all the financial support you're entitled to.
Who is ineligible to use the Pension Credit calculator?The calculator cannot be used if you or your partner:
You can initiate your application up to four months prior to reaching State Pension age. Claims can be made at any time after you reach State Pension age, but they can only be backdated for three months.
This implies that if you were eligible during that period, your first Pension Credit payment could include up to three months' worth.
You will require:
If backdating your claim, you'll need to provide information about your income, savings and investments on the date you wish your claim to commence.
How to apply online?The online service is available if:
To verify your eligibility, call the Pension Credit helpline at 0800 99 1234 or utilise the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to determine how much you could potentially receive.
