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£650 cost of living payment is another reason to check if you qualify for Pension Credit
We urge you to check if you or your loved ones are eligible for Pension Credit in the face of significant food, petrol and energy price rises. And because it could entitle you to the government’s cost of living payment worth £650, if you claim before Thursday 18 August 2022.
Pension Credit is a form of financial support which ‘tops-up’ the income of people over State Pension age who fall below an income threshold. Many find they’ve been missing out on thousands of pounds a year. Even if you’re only entitled to £1 extra a week, you can then unlock a range of benefits that could be worth so much more, including the Warm Home Discount, a free TV licence, Council Tax Reduction, and many other ways to save and gain.
Pension Credit can entitle you to the government’s cost of living payment of £650 for those on means tested benefits.
Older people on a lower income have until Thursday 18 August to put in a claim for Pension Credit in order to qualify for this.
Announced as part of a support package a few months ago, the government’s cost of living payment is being paid to those in receipt of Pension Credit (and other qualifying benefits) in two lump sums of £326 and £324.
To be eligible for the first lump sum, older people must have been entitled to a Pension Credit payment or later found to be entitled to a payment between 26 April and 25 May 2022.
Because a successful application for Pension Credit can be backdated by three months, those who begin the claiming process before 18 August can meet the eligibility criteria.
Take action. Support’s available to you if you’d appreciate it.
You can apply to claim Pension Credit via the government's website at www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim or phone the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
Please get in touch with our Money Advice Team if you’d appreciate some support. Phone us 01204 328000 or email us at moneyadviceteam@boltonathome.org.uk.
You can also contact the national charity Independent Age for assistance at www.independentage.org/get-support or through their freephone helpline on 0800 319 6789.
More information
You can read more on the cost of living payment on our website, here: https://bit.ly/3SMM77P
And you can read more about the Pension Top Up campaign, also on our website, here: https://bit.ly/3C2JQzG