Pension Credit: Expert discusses those not claiming benefit
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Pension Credit provides crucial support for pensioners on lower incomes through a weekly income boost. Pensioners in certain circumstances may be able to get extra amounts on top of their normal weekly sum.
The core element of Pension Credit is called Guarantee Credit.
Guarantee Credit could top up someone’s weekly income to:
- £182.60 if they are single
- £278.70 if they have a partner
There is another form of Pension Credit, known as Savings Credit, which provides a lower level of support.
Claimants of Savings Credit could get up to £14.48 a week if they are single, or £16.20 a week if they have a partner.
There are four groups of people who could get extra amounts of Pension Credit based on their circumstances.
Those with a severe disability
People who have a severe disability could get an extra £69.40 a week.
Pensioners could be eligible for the extra amount if they get any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- The middle or highest rate from the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- The daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- The daily living component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
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Those who care for another adult
Someone could get an extra £38.85 a week if:
- They get Carer’s Allowance
- They have claimed Carer’s Allowance but are not receiving it because they already get another benefit which pays a higher amount.
- This extra amount could be available to both partners if they have both claimed or are getting Carer’s Allowance.
Those who are responsible for children or young people
Britons could get an extra £56.35 a week for each child or young person they are responsible for.
This increases to £66.85 a week for the first child if they were born before April 6, 2017.
The child or young person must normally live with the Pension Credit claimant and be under the age of 20.
Those with housing costs
Pension Credit recipients could get an extra amount to help cover their housing costs, such as:
- Ground rent if their property is a leasehold
- Some service charges
- Charges for tents and site rents.
The exact amount someone could get depends on their housing costs.
How to claim
Pensioners can apply for Pension Credit through the Gov.uk website. They will have their income assessed when applying to determine their eligibility.
Applications can also be made through the Pension Credit claim line at 0800 99 1234 or by post.
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