Pension Credit – extra help for pensioners

Are you single and have a weekly income of less than £201.05 or £306.85 if you have a partner? If so, you might be able to join the many people in Reading already receiving Pension Credit.

Pension Credit is good news. For people who have reached State Pension age, it can top up weekly income to £201.05 for single people or £306.85 if you’re a couple.

If you reached State Pension Age before April 2016, you may be entitled to extra money if you have made some provision towards your retirement such as savings or a private pension. This is called Savings Credit and could mean up to an extra £15.94 a week (for single people) or £17.84 a week (for couples). So you’re likely to be entitled to some Pension Credit even if your weekly income is £218.80 (single people) or £319.20 (couples).

Even if your income is more, you may still be able to get Pension Credit if for example, you or your partner are severely disabled, are a carer or have housing costs such as mortgage interest payments. On top of that, you may also get help with council tax, heating bills and if you are over 75, a free TV licence.

To help further, if you apply for Pension Credit you may be able to get up to 3 months backdated payment from the day you were first entitled up to the date you apply. Some people have had as much as £1,000 with their backdated payment.

Around 1.4million people are already in receipt of Pension Credit and you may be able to join them.

Take a look at the online calculator on GOV.UK to find out what you might get. Claims can be made online at http://www.gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling the freephone Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (textphone 0800 169 0133). If you prefer, you can ask a friend or relative to help or call on your behalf. Paper forms are also available.

For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/pension-credit.

• Entitlement to Pension Credit establishes a gateway to other benefits, access to Social Fund loans and help with energy efficiency measures. For more information on keeping warm and well in winter visit www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.