About 4 million older people across the UK are entitled to Pension Credit to top up their retirement income, but only 2.5 million people are claiming it. If you are eligible, you could receive over £170 per week, plus lots of non-monetary benefits, to help manage your living expenses.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for Pension Credit, you must be of pension age. This means you were born before:
- 6 April 1951 if you’re a man
- 6 April 1953 if you’re a woman
If you are in a couple, you cannot apply unless both of you have reached state pension age.
How much could I get?
The standard amount of income for a single person is £173.75 a week. For a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting), it’s is £265.20 a week. You might be entitled to more than this if you’re disabled or a carer. If you have less than this as income, you could get Pension Credit to top your income to these amounts
There are also lots of non-monetary benefits available; if you are entitled to anything above £1 a week of Pension Credit, you also qualify for:
- Free TV license. For over 75s worth £157.50 year.
- Council Tax reduction. Worth over £1000 per year.
- Warm Homes discount worth £140 per year
- Housing Benefit. You could have your rent paid in full.
- Cold weather payment. Worth £25 p/w in winter.
- Free dental treatment
- Voucher for glasses
How do I find out more?
Finding out if you’re eligible is simple – you don’t have to fill in a form, all you have to do is call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (textphone: 0800 169 0133). Around 9 in 10 claims are successful, so we highly encourage you to check if you can claim!
You can find out more about Pension Credit here. If you need any advice or help in claiming, contact our Advice Team here.