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Don’t miss out on the credit you deserve
Checking if you’re eligible for Pension Credit is a practical way to ensure you’re receiving what you should, and it could help counter the cost of living squeeze.
Far too many people of state pension age are missing out on Pension Credit payments and more, but we can help.
Pension Credit can make a big difference to qualifying households - typically several hundred pounds a year of extra income, plus eligibility for reduced bills and other financial support, and improved quality of life with peace of mind.
If your weekly income is below £218.15 for a single person, or £332.95 for a couple, you should check to see if you could be eligible for Pension Credit. Based on government figures, it’s worth on average £3,900 a year and can also open doors to further financial help, such as housing costs, council tax, heating bills, and the Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300.
If you own your home or have savings or a private pension income, you could still be eligible. An online calculator is available to help you work out how much you could get: www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator.
You can check your eligibility for, and apply to claim, Pension Credit via the government’s website at www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim or by calling the Pension Credit line on 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). You can also apply by printing out and filling in a paper application form. For more information, visit the Pension Credit page at www.gov.uk.
Or contact our Money Advice Team. We’d be happy to help you or a loved one check that you’re getting all the entitlements you’re due. Phone us on 01204 328000 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5:30pm) or email 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 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm).
We’re part of Greater Manchester Housing Providers, a partnership of 24 social housing providers. Together with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, through its Ageing Hub, we’ve been encouraging people to take up pension age benefits as part of our Pension Top Up campaign for a few years now.
The campaign - supported by Independent Age, Age UK and Citizens Advice - encourages us all to ask our older family members and friends to check if they qualify for more income and make sure they know how to get assistance if it’s needed. Please help. Thank you.
Further information
- The Winter Fuel Payment is worth £300 for households with someone aged 80 or over. Households with someone aged 66-79 will receive £200.
- If you’ve reached State Pension age before 23 September 2024, and are in receipt of Pension Credit, Income Support, Income based JSA, Income related ESA and Universal Credit, you’ll be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment, subject to eligibility conditions.
- The qualifying week in 2024 for Winter Fuel Payments will be from 16 to 22 September.
- 21 December is the last date for making a backdated claim for Pension Credit, assuming you met the Pension Credit entitlement conditions throughout the previous three months.
- If you’re entitled to Pension Credit for at least one day of the Winter Fuel Payment qualifying week, you’ll have automatic entitlement to Winter Fuel Payment. There are some exceptions which are detailed on GOV.UK: Winter Fuel Payment: Eligibility at www.gov.uk.
- You don’t have to do anything extra to backdate your claim. If you apply online, you’ll automatically be asked if you’d like to backdate it. If you apply over the phone, an advisor will talk you through this.
