Pension Credit

Write to the DWP. I was struggling on the basic pension and less than £10 a week company pension and then found that as my savings were well under £10,000 I could get pension credit guarantee. As well as extra money it means I don’t have to pay some dental charges, £40 off spectacles, and don’t pay Council tax. Because I need help because of walking difficulties I get lower rate Attendance Allowance as well..
800,000 people who are entitled fail to claim. Some because they are too proud.

Greciangirl, from 2020 the BBC take over the funding of the free TV licence for over 75s. They have decided that only those over 75s on Pension Credit will get the free license from that date. I think that is what drew the TV licence into the conversation.

You are not entitled to a free Tv licence if you get pension credit,
Read my above post.

I think it is very important in view of the TV Licence debacle that everybody entitled to Pension Credit applies for it.

I am married but i dont get the full pension as i have never signed on in my younger days,and wished i had now.
I dont get pension credits either so wont get free licence,not that im too bothered.

I receive pension credit, but I am not entitled to a free t.v.licence. Free licence only, or maybe at age 75.

If you are not entitled to the full state pension then PC will usually top it up to the full amount. In my case approx £21.
But it all depends on her NI contributions.

It's worth applying whatever you think you are entitled or not entitled to. Even if you only get a get a £1 or so of savings credit it entitles you to apply for an HC3 certificate which gives you help towards glasses or dental care.

Pension credits are the least well-used benefit or do I mean has the worst take-up? It's important that anyone who thinks they can claim, does.

Thanks everyone. It is really difficult getting the correct information from her, but she now has another close relative going to see her tomorrow to gather relevant information, and make some calls for her.

It's always worth applying, even if you don't think that you are eligible.
My late husband had various medical problems. I didn't class myself as his carer, because he could cope with his physical needs. I needed to be around as much as possible in case he had a fall, though.
Just to stop my friend from nagging me about it I applied for Carer's Allowance, being perfectly honest about the amount of care I actually gave him. I was flabbergasted when my claim was accepted, and the extra money came in very handy.
You have nothing to lose by trying!

Yorkshiregirl - it may be that you have misread the result. I cannot belief that your cousin is only receiving a pension around about £23 per week. It's more like she receives the £145 and would therefore be entitled to some pension credit.

Link to AgeUK factsheet - it's 'the biz' www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs48_pension_credit_fcs.pdf

I dont know whether Oension Credit has changed ir not but when I did the claim for my mother about 20 years ago she had an interest only mortgage and she got that paid plus her council tax as part of her pension credit.

If you go on the Savvy Woman site (Sarah Pennel) or Martin Lewis it is easier to understand, but personally if I was your cousin I would phone the DWP and ask to make a claim. A few years ago my late in-laws were on pension credits and someone actually came to their home to complete the forms as they were quite long and complicated. I think you can do it over the phone now, but will need all the relevant paperwork in front of you. You are more likely to have the forms posted to you to complete yourselves. Some people on the guaranteed PC get other help too, with dental costs and at the opticians plus council tax rebate in certain cases. Each case is based on individual circumstances so what one may get another may not. Everything is taken into account financially, and this is how it is worked out.

I think we all worry that "they" don't actually know but where PC is concerned, if you give them the information the do seem to. If you end up with the Saving Credit part instead it is worth checking what else you can get as the extra benefits don't come automatically as the do with the Guaranteed Credit.

I would suggest she applies.. then "they" will tell her

Go on a site called Entitled To and fill in the form it will tell how much you will get. ? good luck

I'd certainly recommend using an Age UK advisor to complete the application as they are aware of exactly what to apply for and what information will be needed for all benefits.
There are many pensioners that are entitled to the Pensioners credits that don't apply either through pride or ignorance - maybe this will change when the new ruling for the TV licenses comes in.
Oh, if you use somebody from Age UK, they would be very appreciative of a donation if the application is successful!

All I can add is if you are unsure please just fill in the form and apply for the benefit you may get a nice surprise if you have difficulty ask for help to complete the form with an Age UK advisor they will gladly help .
A couple of years ago a very good friend was unsure if she could apply for certain benefits and I helped her fill in the long and exhausting forms and waited for a while until she received confirmation she was entitled to the benefit it also opened up the fact she was entitled to full housing and council tax rebate it has made a vast difference to her life.

Ah - sorry I didn't spot that. I always worry about people getting clear information - although I do wonder what could make them any less clear

GG3 Your right/I am right. I used the wrong words I meant upper limits for savers credit. The £180 and £300 are the rough figures for the upper income where you can still qualify for the savers part of Pension Credit, albeit, probably no more than a £1 a week

you will need to claim the additional benefits not benefit

Remember there is the guarantee part of pension credit as well, so even if your income is just above the £167, you can still get extra money. I think the outside weekly income limit for Guarantee Credit is £190 if you are single and £300 if you are a couple.

I wonder where you got these figures from M0nica they don't look right to me. It would be interesting to know as some people may be missing out on some benefits. I believe Pension Credit has one of the worst records for people claiming.

The minimum guarantee for a single person is £167.25 per week and for a couple is £255.25 per week as MamaCaz reported above.

There is also Savings Pension Credit which may top your pension up by up by a maximum amount per week of £13.72 for a single person or £15.35 for a couple. This can be paid to someone who has a small private pension that takes them over the ceiling for the Guarantee Pension Credit or whose saving, when taken into account do.

This is a really good explanation, even though it is aimed at carers, as it includes an example of how a perceived income from savings is calculated.

www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-benefits/other-pension-age-benefits?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiIiTsN3u4gIVipztCh1HUwWJEAAYASAAEgKye_D_BwE

If you do get Guarantee Pension Credit you will get some other benefits automatically or it will be taken as a "gateway" benefit when claiming.

If you get Savings Pension Credit you will need to claim the additional benefit and may get the whole or in part. It is worth asking the CAB or AgeUK what you may be able to claim.

I would reiterate using AgeUk.

I wonder if the £145 is what she is entitled to from the State, made up of pension plus pension credit. The balance of £23 could come from a small personal pension or notional interest from savings.

Remember there is the guarantee part of pension credit as well, so even if your income is just above the £167, you can still get extra money. I think the outside weekly income limit for Guarantee Credit is £190 if you are single and £300 if you are a couple.

The simplest thing is to put in an application. The letter granting PC, or not, will contain all the calculations about how they have reached the decision and how much is due, if appropriate.

If you have a small pension, just apply for PC anyway, the worst they can do is tell you you are not entitled to it and remember, as well as getting free tv licences if you are on Pension Credit you can also get a Council tax Benefit, and if you rent, Housing Benefit as well.