A big push has been announced to try to get people to sign up for a benefit which could see some of the poorest people in the country get an extra £3,500 a year. The government is to write to millions of OAPs in a bid to get them to make sure they are getting Pension Credit if they are eligible.
Early in 2023 the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is to contact 11 million people about how the State Pension is increasing in line with inflation - 10.1% – in the 2023-24 tax year. Also included with that will be a leaflet which has been altered to include details about Pension Credit - which can also allow people to access more help with housing, heating and Council Tax.
DWP Minister Laura Trott MP said: “In the new year, DWP will again write to over 11 million pensioners as part of the annual uprating of State Pension. The accompanying leaflet has been updated to include this year’s campaign messaging promoting Pension Credit. Further spend of £1.8m has been approved for marketing activity until the end of this financial year.”
Read more: DWP update on £300 Cost of Living and Winter Fuel payments
A new claim for Pension Credit which later turns out to be successful will also qualify the claimant for the £900 means-tested cost of living payment and the £300 pensioner cost of living payment in 2023/24.
Pension Credit claimants may also be eligible for the annual Winter Fuel Payment next year which has already seen 11.6 million households across the UK receive up to £600 to help with the additional cost of heating bills.
Ms Trott said that an additional £1.8m has been approved for marketing activity until the end of this financial year, on April 5. Some 149,579 Pension Credit claims were received by DWP between April and October this year with 118,598 of those now processed.
Pension Credit is a weekly benefit to boost income based on how much money a person has coming in. There are two parts to Pension Credit, called Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. You might get one or both parts.
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a minimum amount. Savings Credit is a small top-up for people who have a modest amount of income or savings. It’s only available if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
To claim Pension Credit you must:
- have reached State Pension age - check your State Pension age on GOV.UK
- not have too much income or savings
- live in the UK
- You can still be working, as long as your income isn’t too high.
- Unlike the State Pension, you don’t need a national insurance record.
If your weekly income is below £182.60 then Guarantee Credit will top you up to that amount.
If you’re claiming as a couple and your income is below £278.70 it will be topped up to that amount.
If you’re claiming as a couple you’ll need the same information about your partner’s income.
Your income can be higher than £182.60 or £278.70 if you qualify for extra amounts such as the severe disability or carer’s addition. Your income can also be higher if you’re paying a mortgage.
Check if you can get additional amounts
You might be able to get extra money if you get other benefits or you’re responsible for a child.
If you get other benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance, your weekly Guarantee Credit amount can go over the minimum income threshold of £182.60.
If you’re eligible you can receive an extra amount for severe disability of £69.40 a week. Check if you’re eligible for the severe disability addition on GOV.UK.
The extra amount if you’re a carer is £38.85. You’ll get this if you or your partner receive Carer’s Allowance or have claimed for it and meet its conditions. Check if you’re eligible for the carer’s addition on GOV.UK.
You’ll need to have details of any benefits you receive if you use the Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK.
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