Citizens Advice's issues details on claiming pension credit

Pension credit is designed to help pensioners on low incomes, says Citizens Advice team

Government statistics published in February revealed that only six out of 10 of those entitled to pension credit claimed it.

Now the Citizens Advice team in Stroud has issued key details about the scheme, in the hope that they can get the word out to those people who are missing out on money they could be claiming, perhaps because they don’t have access to the internet to read the news, or are unable to use computers.

They said: Pension credit is made up of two parts, and is designed to help pensioners on low incomes. You can still be eligible if you own your own home.

Guarantee Credit is intended to top up the weekly income of a single person in receipt of state retirement pension, whose income is below £173.75, or a couple who have both reached state pension age, and whose joint income is below £265.20, they said. Savings credit is an extra payment for people who have additional pensions or savings. To be entitled to savings credit the claimant must have reached state retirement pension age before April 6, 2016.

The team said, all pension credit claims are means-tested, but income from attendance allowance and personal independence payments are disregarded and may allow an increase in pension credit payment. If you get guarantee credit you may also qualify for other benefits such as housing benefit, council tax reduction and cold weather payments.

They said, you will also get help with the costs of NHS services e.g. free NHS dental treatment, and you can claim help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital. You will also not have to pay for your TV Licence if you are aged 75 or over.