The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that nearly one million pensioner households may be entitled to an average weekly boost of around £65, but do not claim it as some older people wrongly believe that because they have savings or own their own home they would not be eligible for Pension Credit.
However, the DWP recently shared new ways to encourage people of State Pension age - or a friend or family member - to check if they might qualify for the ‘passport’ benefit worth over £3,500 each year (on average). This includes two new explainer-style YouTube videos, one aimed at the individual considering making a claim and one for family members.
The DWP has also listed some of the main reasons older people may be putting off making a claim for Pension Credit along with myth busting some of the most common misconceptions people may have to encourage them to think again about applying.
DWP Minister, Laura Trott MP, recently explained to the House of Commons that auto-enrolment on to Pension Credit is not possible, but is keen to see take-up of the benefit increase.
Ms Trott said: “It is difficult to enrol people automatically on Pension Credit given the data the Government holds. I am, however, keen to see how increased data sharing could be used to produce a larger number of claims.”
A sentiment echoed by Minister for Employment Guy Opperman who informed MPs on Monday that take-up of the benefit has increased by 177 per cent.
He said: “The message is of course, ‘Don’t be shy: please apply’, and the freephone number is 0800 99 1234. We want people to continue applying.”
Barriers to claiming Pension Credit
DWP highlighted a number of barriers that stop people claiming Pension Credit.
Older people may wrongly think they are not eligible because they:
- have savings
- own their own home
- may be working
- may be getting a small occupational pension
- may have been turned down in the past
Other factors may be that they:
- do not want to be seen as needing to claim
- feel that they’re able to manage
- do not think it’s worth applying - as the amount they get will be very small
- do not recognise themselves as a Pension Credit claimant
- have not got around to it
- think it’s a complex and confusing subject
- already get other help and do not want to mess up the benefits they are getting
Eight Pension Credit myths busted
Having listed some of the main reasons people of State Pension age may be put off from claiming Pension Credit, the DWP has also busted eight common myths about the benefit.
They do not think they will be eligible for Pension Credit
- False - some 1.38 million older people across the UK currently receive the extra financial support.
They would get so little that it’s not worth claiming
- False - DWP says the average Pension Credit payment is actually over £65 per week - that’s well over an extra £3,500 per year. Plus, getting Pension Credit can provide a passport to help with things like rent, Council Tax, Winter Heating Payment (Scotland only), Cold Weather Payments (not Scotland) and a free TV licence for people aged 75 and over. A new award for just one penny will also qualify for the new £900 means-tested cost of living payment in 2023/24 - find out more here.
They have savings, so will not qualify
- False - DWP explains that people can have savings or another pension and still get extra money. Unlike other income related benefits like Universal Credit, there is no capital cut-off limit and for Pension Credit savings of under £10,000 are ignored.
They own their own home, so will not qualify
- False - DWP explains that homeowners can get Pension Credit too and that almost half of the people who get Pension Credit own their own home.
They are not eligible for Pension Credit - it’s for ‘old’ people
- False - People can claim as soon as they reach the qualifying age, which is now State Pension age - 66 for both men and women.
They cannot get a State Pension, so they will not be eligible
- False - DWP said that they may be entitled to Pension Credit - even if they’re not entitled to a State Pension.
They’ve been turned down for Pension Credit before, so it’s not worth applying again
- False - DWP said that personal circumstances could have changed and their income or capital may have changed as a result. The first £10,000 of savings will be ignored when working out if someone can get Pension Credit.
It’s too complicated and claiming is not worth the effort
- False - DWP has simplified the process and people can claim with one free phone call to the Pension Credit claim line. However, there are other ways to claim such as a paper claim form, which can be downloaded from the GOV.UK website or an online claim can be made - find out more here.
The Pension Service can also help people to claim other benefits such as Housing Benefit, which can help with paying rent, if they’re entitled to those as well. However, they will need to contact their local council directly if they wish to apply for a reduction in their Council Tax.
How much is Pension Credit worth?
If people have reached State Pension age, it means they will get topped up to a minimum income of:
- £182.60 a week if they are single
- £278.70 a week if they are a couple
If they are over 65 and reached their State Pension Age before April 6, 2016, they could still qualify for Pension Credit if their weekly income is below:
- £218.80 if they are single
- £319.20 if they are a couple
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.
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.
You can find out more about Pension Credit on GOV.UK here.
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