Pensioners are being warned that they could be missing out on as much as £300 in cost of living support.
There are only a handful of days left until a backdated claim can be made for Pension Credit while also ensuring that the claimant can receive the 2024 Winter Fuel Payment. Once Saturday, December 21 passes, this opportunity will end.
It is understood that around 880,000 households are eligible for Pension Credit but are still not claiming it. This means that nearly one million households are not only missing out on extra support from Pension Credit and the Winter Fuel Payment, but also other types of support that the benefit gives opportunity for, such as extra help with council tax.
Verity Kick at Oak Tree Mobility,: said: “Winter can be tough, especially for our elderly loved ones. Cold days mean higher heating bills, and the health issues that are linked to cold weather can make winter particularly difficult and expensive for the elderly.
“Around a quarter of UK adults say they’re rarely or never able to keep comfortably warm in their living room, and 6 in 10 pensioners cut back on heating their home to help manage their finances—but prolonged exposure to the cold means they’re at higher risk of injury and illness, such as hypothermia, influenza, and aggravated cases of asthma and COPD. Since government changes to winter fuel payments mean it’s now linked with pension credit, we’re urging eligible households to get the extra help they need during these chilly months.
“You can check if you’re eligible for pension credit with this calculator, and find out how to make a claim—but if you’re struggling to navigate the process, charities like Age UK can help.”
Who is eligible for Pension Credit?
Pension Credit comes in two forms: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit, you must be of State Pension age (currently 66). Your weekly income should be less than the minimum amount the UK Government deems necessary for living.
This minimum is set at £218.15 for single individuals and £332.95 for couples. These amounts may be higher if you’re disabled, a carer, or have certain housing costs.
Savings Credit is only available under specific conditions:
- you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have a partner who reached State Pension age before this date and was already receiving it
- you have qualifying income of at least £189.80 a week for a single person and £301.22 a week for a couple
How to check eligiblity for Pension Credit
To utilise the calculator on GOV. UK, you’ll need details of:
- earnings, benefits and pensions
- savings and investments
You’ll require the same information for your partner if you have one. You will be presented with 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’ve answered these questions, a summary screen displays your responses, allowing you to go back and alter any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then shows how much benefit you could receive each week.