08 November 2023 , 17:16
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Older people living on their own could be given an extra £3,500 this winter.
Ahead of what looks set to be another tough winter for the country, many Brits will be looking for ways they can save money on their bills, or keep their heads above water. With hundreds and thousands eligible pensioners currently missing out, one financial expert has highlighted a way elderly people can receive financial support this winter.
Up to £3,500 is available and could help with heating bills and housing costs. This benefit, the Pension Credit, could be available to as many as 850,000 people who might be currently missing out according to estimates from the Department for Work and Pensions.
The Pension Credit currently supports around 1.4million pensioners in Great Britain. It’s a retrospective benefit that can be claimed up to three months in arrears. It works by giving people extra money to help with living costs, The Daily Record reported. It will top up a person’s income to a minimum of £201.05 per week for a single pensioner, and to £306.85 for couples, or if a person has a disability or caring responsibility.
Below is everything you need to know about the benefit to make a claim for yourself, a family member or friend, including how to use the Pension Credit calculator and other entitlement an award of just a few pence may provide access to.
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Who should check for Pension Credit?
If you are over 65 and reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, you could still qualify for Pension Credit if your weekly income is less than:
- £240.90 if you are single
- £351.45 if you are a couple
Other help if you get Pension Credit
- If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:
- 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
How to use the Pension Credit calculator
To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of:
- Earnings, benefits and pensions
- Savings and investments
You'll need the same details for your partner if you have one.
You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.
This includes:
- Your date of birth
- Your residential status
- Where in the UK you live
- Whether you are registered blind
- Which benefits you currently receive
- How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
- Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
- How much you get each week from pensions - State Pension, private and work pensions
- Any employment earnings
- Any savings, investments or bonds you have
Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week. All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.
There's also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you're receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.
Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?
You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:
- are deferring your State Pension
- own more than one property
- are self employed
- have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit
How to make a claim
You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months.
This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.
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You will need:
your National Insurance number
information about your income, savings and investments
your bank account details, if you're applying by phone or by post
If you're backdating your claim, you'll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your 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.