Online guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on GOV. UK indicates that individuals of State Pension age with a low income who receive Attendance Allowance or the middle or highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) may be eligible for additional Pension Credit.
As part of the annual uprating exercise, the disability element of Pension Credit will increase from £81.50 per week to £82.90 from April. This equates to £331.60 every four-week pay period, an increase from £326.
Similarly, a couple claiming Pension Credit where one person is claiming a disability benefit will also receive an extra £82.90 each week. If someone receives Carer’s Allowance, they may be entitled to an additional weekly Pension Credit of £45.60, which will rise to £46.40 from April 7.
Older individuals may also qualify for this extra Pension Credit if they are entitled to Carer’s Allowance but are not receiving it, or are receiving it at a lower amount than usual, because they are being paid a higher amount by another income-related benefit such as the State Pension – more commonly referred to as an ‘underlying entitlement’. Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including over 125,000 residing in Scotland, are currently receiving Pension Credit.
The DWP recently confirmed that this could provide an average of £4,200 in support during the upcoming year, reports the Daily Record.
However, recent data from the DWP indicates that there are still 760,000 pensioners eligible for benefits they are not claiming. Some older individuals believe that owning their home or having savings disqualifies them from the means-tested benefit, which can also provide assistance with housing costs, heating bills and Counacil Tax.
Pension Credit supplements weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. It is a tax-free payment for those who qualify.
Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can call the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
It can also grant access to a variety of other benefits. The benefit increases income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples – more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.
If you qualify for Pension Credit, you can also access other forms of assistance. The law changed in May 2019 regarding ‘mixed age couples’ – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is not.
Such couples are now considered ‘working age’ when assessing eligibility for means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners reach State Pension age.