Pensioners are being told to check their eligibility for Pension Credit as soon as possible as they could be entitled to £3,900 in financial support.
Pensions Minister Paul Maynard has highlighted the financial assistance offered via Pension Credit.
He explained: “As the cold weather bites, we want every pensioner to receive all the help they can. I’m glad to be able to confirm that 99 per cent of those eligible for this generous support have received it.
“We also encourage low-income pensioners not already getting Pension Credit to check their eligibility as they could be on average £3,900 a year better off.”
Pensioners could get a £3,900 top up from DWP
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What is Pension Credit?
This is a benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)for those state pension age on low income.
Pension Credit comes in two different instalments, the Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit, and is different to the state pension.
The Guarantee part of the benefit payment tops up a claimant’s income to a minimum level.
In comparison, the Savings element is for those with some level of savings or who earn more than the basic state pension who reached the state pension age before April 6, 2016.
How much is Pension Credit?
The average Pension Credit claim is worth £3,900, according to the DWP.
The Guarantee Credit element currently tops up someone’s income to £201.05 if they are single or £306.85 if they are in a couple.
For Savings Credit, a claimant could get up to £15.94 extra a week if they are single or couples can receive an additional £17.84.
How much someone gets from Pension Credit differs every year, as the payment rates are raised by the Government annually.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The DWP writes to people a few months ahead of them reaching state pension age PAIs there other help Pension Credit claimants can get?
Pension Credit recipients could get extra help with NHS costs, including free dental treatment and money towards the cost of glasses.
Furthermore, carers could get an extra £42.75 a week through the Carer Addition, while those with a disability may be eligible for the weekly Severe Disability Addition of £76.40.
Some Pension Credit claimants will not have to pay council tax as long as no one else lives with them. On top of this, claimants of the benefit payment who are 75 or over will be entitled to get a free TV licence.
People who have Pension Credit may also get a Cold Weather Payment during periods of really freezing weather. The Cold Weather Payment scheme has been replaced in Scotland.