Lots of people aren’t aware they can claim Pension Credit. Pension Credit is paid to top up retirement pensions.
Whether you get it, or how much, depends on your income and savings, or if you’re a carer. It’s also affected if you receive a disability benefit, such as Attendance Allowance or the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). For example:
- Mary is 72 and single. She has less than £10,000 in savings and a weekly income of £251. She receives Attendance Allowance in addition to that and was awarded Pension Credit
- Bal and Charan are married. Their combined weekly income was above £278.70 so they would not have been eligible for Pension Credit. But they were awarded a disability benefit, which then allowed them to successfully apply for Pension Credit
Pension Credit might also help get other things such as energy payments and help with your Council Tax.
Lots of people don’t claim for Pension Credit, but if you’re single and over pension age, or in a couple and are both over pension age, you should check you’re eligible. You can use the Government’s online calculator to see if you’re eligible.
You can use the online service to apply if you have already applied for your State Pension.