Who is eligible for Pension Credit?<\/strong><\/h3>\nPension Credit is separate from the state pension and people can receive this even if they have other income, savings, or own their own home.<\/p>\n
To claim, people must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached the state pension age (66 and over). They or their partner must also receive housing benefits.<\/p>\n
If this applies, the person must work out their weekly income. This would include their state pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment, and most social security benefits, such as Carer\u2019s Allowance.<\/p>\n
However, not all benefits are counted as income. According to the DWP, the following are not counted and shouldn\u2019t be included in the calculation:<\/p>\n
\n- Adult Disability Payment<\/li>\n
- Attendance Allowance<\/li>\n
- Christmas Bonus<\/li>\n
- Child Benefit<\/li>\n
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)<\/li>\n
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)<\/li>\n
- Social fund payments, such as the Winter Fuel Allowance<\/li>\n
- Housing Benefit<\/li>\n
- Council Tax Reduction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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Single pensioners are most likely to be eligible for Pension Credit if their total weekly income is roughly under \u00a3220, and \u00a3320 a week for pensioner couples.<\/p>\n
People may still be eligible even if their income exceeds this threshold, so it\u2019s worth checking the Government Pension Credit calculator just in case.<\/p>\n
How much is Pension Credit worth?<\/strong><\/h3>\nAt present, Pension Credit tops up a person\u2019s weekly income to:<\/p>\n
\n- \u00a3201.05 if they\u2019re single<\/li>\n
- \u00a3306.85 if they have a partner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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People may get extra amounts if they have other responsibilities and costs, which is known as \u2018Guarantee Credit\u2019. The full list of top-up payments and eligibility can be found here.<\/p>\n
From April 2024, these figures will rise in line with September 2023\u2019s inflation rate of 6.7 percent. This will top a claimant\u2019s weekly income up to:<\/p>\n
\n- \u00a3218.15 if they\u2019re single<\/li>\n
- \u00a3332.95 if they have a partner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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How to claim Pension Credit<\/strong><\/h3>\nPeople can start their application up to four months before they reach the state pension age.<\/p>\n
The benefit can also be applied for any time after a person reaches state pension age, but applications can only be backdated by three months.<\/p>\n
This means claimants can get up to three months of Pension Credit in their first payment if they were eligible during that time.<\/p>\n
People can apply online, by post, or by phone on 0800 99 1234.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n