Pensioners urged to check eligibility for state pension top-up as deadline for £300 boost looms
Pensioners are being urged to check to see if they're eligible for Pension Credit
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Pensioners are being urged to check if they’re among the hundreds of thousands of people who are eligible for a state pension top-up but not claiming it.
An estimated 850,000 eligible households don’t claim Pension Credit, which could open eligibility to extra support such as the cost of living payments for eligible means-tested benefit claimants.
There are three instalments of this cost of living payment, worth a total of £900, being paid during the 2023 to 2024 financial year.
The second payment, a sum of £300, is due to be paid between October 31 and November 19.
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The DWP is encouraging low-income pensioners who aren’t already getting Pension Credit to check their eligibility
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To be eligible for the payment from the DWP, a person needs to have been entitled to a payment for a qualifying benefit between August 18 and September 17, 2023, or payment for an assessment period, ending between these dates.
While these dates have since passed, people who are currently missing out on Pension Credit may still be able to qualify for the upcoming £300 cost of living payment.
The DWP is encouraging low-income pensioners who aren’t already getting Pension Credit to check their eligibility as Pension Credit backdating rules could mean they still qualify for the second cost of living payment.
It could also open eligibility for the third payment of £299, due in Spring 2024.
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit gives a person over state pension age and on a low income extra money to help with their living costs. It can also help with housing costs, such as ground rent or service charges.
It’s a top-up benefit which is separate from the state pension, and eligible people can get it even if they have other income, savings or their own home.
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to £210.05 for single people and joint weekly income to £306.85 if they have a partner.
If a person has a higher income, such as due to having a disability, caring for someone, having savings or having housing costs, they may still be eligible for Pension Credit.
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People can find out if they’re eligible for Pension Credit and how much they can get online via the Pension Credit calculator
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People can find out if they’re eligible for Pension Credit and how much they can get online via Gov.uk’s Pension Credit calculator.
Eligible people can start their application up to four months before reaching state pension age.
It’s possible to apply any time after reaching state pension age, but the claim can only be backdated by three months.
There is also a cost of living payment for pensioner households being paid this year.
People entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with their normal payment from November 2023.