This Morning's Holly Willoughby was taken aback as Martin Lewis was told he's wrong on today's show.
The consumer champion returned on today's edition of ITV's flagship daytime programme to dish out financial advice. Holly was confused when she read out a question from a viewer named Tenny, who had contacted the Pension Credit hotline to find out if they were eligible for the top up.
Tenny said: "I am under the weekly income threshold of £214.60, but when I called the helpline I was told very abruptly that Martin Lewis is wrong and that I need to be in receipt of attendance allowance, which I'm in the process of applying for and waiting for the forms to come through."
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A shocked Martin claimed the call handler was very brave as he attempted to clarify. He said: "That is a very, very annoying message to get. I will explain it again. I think there is a confusion here but I am also very unhappy to hear what the Pension Credit hotline have said.
"Pension Credit is a top up to your income if you are a state pensioner on a low income. For most people, it will top up your total income. That's income not just from the state pension and from other things too to £203 a week."
Martin explained the criteria can sometimes be complicated so he shared his general rule of thumb. He said: "If you've got total weekly income of under £220 it is worth checking whether you are entitled to pension credit. I don't say 'you're going to get it', I say 'that's when it's worth checking'.
"If you are a pensioner couple with income of under £320 a week then it is worth checking. You check by using the calculator online or you call the Pension Credit hotline."
Martin explained the advice he issues is in agreement with the Pensions Minister and said he was shocked to hear about the alleged exchange with the call handler. He said: "1 million people are eligible for pension credit and are not getting it. Don't sit there and think maybe it's not me so don't risk calling.
"They have a friendly service so to hear that someone on the Pension Credit hotline service is saying Martin Lewis is wrong when I am giving an agreed message and I am being encouraged by the Minister to get that message out there under this format means that they haven't got the memo.
"Trust me, I will be sending a memo after this programme to make sure that memo goes to staff that the whole point is as a nation we're trying to get some of the poorest pensioners not to be scared if they are due pension credit."
Martin urged people to not be put off checking if they are eligible for pension credit as there is two days to apply and be able to receive the first cost-of-living payment.
He said: "It is a gateway benefit to many other things." He added: "Don't stall, just call and I'm very disappointed to hear the attitude of the call handler on that. They were probably having a bad day but most people on the Pension Credit hotline, I hear, have really good feedback and really helpful. They'll say yes you're entitled or no you're not so don't be put off."
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