Over 1.4 million older individuals in Great Britain, are benefiting from Pension Credit, which offers an average of £4,200 annually to those over 66 on a low income. This means-tested benefit also opens doors to Council Tax reductions and heating bill assistance, including Winter Fuel Payments.
However, recipients may not know they must inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if they’re planning a trip outside mainland Britain this year, regardless of the duration. GOV.UK guidance advises notifying DWP “if you’re going to leave Great Britain for any reason at all, even if you’ll only be away for a short time. This includes if you go to Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands”.
The official stance on the query: “Can I leave Great Britain and keep getting Pension Credit? ” is clarified by the DWP: “We may pay Pension Credit for up to 4 weeks while you’re temporarily away from Great Britain and we may pay for up to 8 weeks if the absence is in connection with a death.”
Additionally, “If the absence is solely in connection with medical treatment or medically approved convalescence, we may pay Pension Credit for up to 26 weeks.
“But you should tell us before you go if you’re going to leave Great Britain for any reason at all, even if you’ll only be away for a short time. This includes if you go to Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.”
Full details on how to report a change in circumstance can be found on GOV.UK here.
The latest figures from the DWP suggest there are around 760,000 eligible people not claiming Pension Credit, even though they could be entitled to it, reports the Daily Record.
Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax. An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support.
Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it, how much you could get and where to get help filling in the form.
Who can claim Pension Credit?
There are two types of Pension Credit – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit , you must be State Pension age (66). Your weekly income will need to be less than the minimum amount the UK Government says you need to live on.
This is £218.15 for a single person and £332.95 for a couple – this amount could be higher if you’re disabled, a carer or have certain housing costs. You can only get Savings Credit if: How much could you receive from DWP?
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to:
- 218.15 for a single person
- £332.95 for a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting
If you’re a carer, disabled, or have certain housing costs, you might be eligible for more. Savings Credit can offer up to a certain amount, with the exact figure depending on your income and savings.
This includes assumed income from savings and capital over £10,000. To check eligibility for Pension Credit, older individuals, or their friends and family, can quickly verify their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK
Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.