Pensioners on low income urged to act within days or risk missing out on £300 tax-free boost
Pensioners on a low income are being urged to see if they may qualify for the state pension top-up benefit Pension Credit.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned pensioners have less than two weeks to apply to get an extra £300 cost of living payment.
Pension Credit backdating rules mean those who apply by December 10 could find they become eligible for the £300 cost of living payment for people on means-tested benefit, which was paid to people who qualified earlier this month.
The DWP explained this one-off, tax-free boost is on top of the Pension Credit support worth an average of £3,900 per year.
Pension Credit backdating rules mean those who apply by December 10 could be eligible for the cost of living payment
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Minister for Pensions Paul Maynard said: “We want every pensioner to receive all they help they can and with time ticking down to deadline day and the window drawing to a close, now’s the perfect time to check out our Pension Credit calculator and make sure you or your loved ones aren’t missing out on this vital support.
“In many cases, it’s an open goal to more money in your pocket.”
The DWP has dubbed the December 10 cut-off as “Deadline Day” and has teamed up with Harry Redknapp to try and raise awareness.
Encouraging people to see if they or their loved ones could claim, Mr Redknapp said: “It’s always an exciting time of the season – I would just say to anyone, check in with your mum, dad, nan, or grandad.
“This could be a brilliant signing.”
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit is a top-up amount intended to help people who are over state pension age on a low income.
Pensioners don’t need to be in receipt of the state pension to receive it, the DWP explained.
Nearly 1.4 million pensioners currently get Pension Credit, but an estimated 850,000 people are entitled to it but don’t claim it.
Pension Credit tops up a person’s income to a minimum of £201.05 per week for single pensioners and to £306.85 for couples.
Pension Credit can also be a gateway to other support, such as help with housing costs, council tax and heating bills.
Pension Credit claims can be backdated for up to three months, provided the applicant was eligible to receive it during that time, meaning people who check eligibility and apply by December 10 this year could get the aforementioned cost of living payment.
A final cost of living payment for people on means-tested benefits is due to be paid to qualifying people in early 2024.
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How to claim Pension Credit
The DWP says claiming Pension Credit is “straightforward”.
People can check eligibility and see how much Pension Credit they may be able to get via the online Pension Credit calculator.
There are various ways to apply for Pension Credit – by phone, post or online.
To claim Pension Credit by telephone, applicants should call 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm).
For those claiming by post, applicants will need to print out and fill in a paper application form.
People can check to see if they are entitled to extra support by using an independent and anonymous benefits calculator online, such as tools hosted by Turn2us, Policy in Practice and entitledto.