Claim Pension Credit NOW

UPDATE 20.09.2022

Please enquire about Pension Credit.

Even if you've missed the deadline for the extra cost of living payment, you may still benefit from a Pension Credit assessment and be eligible for other advantages.

You can check if you could be entitled by following the link below to the national charity, Age UK, who hosts a free and anonymous Benefits Calculator.

To make a claim for Pension Credit, people should call the DWP Pension Credit claim line direct on 0800 99 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.  It can be claimed by phone, postal form and online.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR OLDER PEOPLE TO QUALIFY FOR COST-OF-LIVING PAYMENT

Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (AgeUKCAP) is appealing to pensioners on a low income to put in a claim for Pension Credit as soon as possible and BEFORE 18^th August 2022 in order to qualify for £650 of extra help towards the cost of living this year.

Melanie Wicklen, Chief Executive said, “We are urging all older people who are struggling to make ends meet and who are not already in receipt of Pension Credit to put in a claim without delay, so they don’t risk missing out. Pension Credit is also a gateway to accessing other support and benefits that could make a difference to coping with ever increasing costs.”

Announced as part of a support package in May, the government’s Cost of Living Payment will be paid to those in receipt of Pension Credit (and other qualifying benefits) in two lump sums of £326 and £324 – the first will be paid automatically between mid-end July and the second will be paid in the Autumn.

To be eligible for the first lump sum, the person must have been entitled to a Pension Credit payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) in the period 26 April – 25 May 2022. However,  a successful application for Pension Credit can be backdated by three months, those who begin the claiming process before 18th August are guaranteed to meet the eligibility criteria.

Pension Credit also opens the door to a wide range of additional support, as well as automatically qualifying for the governments Cost of Living Payment, including:

• A Cold Weather Payment of £25, paid automatically when the average temperature is 0°C or below over seven consecutive days
• £140 off electricity bill thorough the Warm Home Discount Scheme (if eligible)
• A free TV licence (if over-75)
• Free NHS dental treatment and help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital
• Help with Council Tax and rent
• Cheaper phone and home broadband deals
• Reduced water bills
• An extra amount of Pension Credit for some carers worth up to £37.70 a week

Those in receipt of Pension Credit, which can be backdated up to three months, tops up the weekly income of a single pensioner to £182.60 or a pensioner couple to £278.70, (or higher in some circumstances).  Pension Credit comes in two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit and it’s separate from the State Pension.

You can check if you could be entitled by following the link below to the national charity, Age UK, who hosts a free and anonymous Benefits Calculator.

To make a claim for Pension Credit, people should call the DWP Pension Credit claim line direct on 0800 99 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.  It can be claimed by phone, postal form and online.

If you are struggling, give our Information and Advice helpline a call on 0300 666 9860.

You could ALSO qualify for a payment from the Household Support Fund More details in the link below.