DWP state pensioners told they can claim top-up worth £17.01 a week
Anyone who reached the state pension age before a certain date is being advised they may be able to claim an extra top up worth £17.01 a week. People who can claim pension credit may also be eligible for Savings Credit, Age UK has said.
Savings Credit is the second part of Pension Credit. It’s only available if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. The amount you can get depends on whether you meet the ‘savings credit threshold.’ You must have a weekly income of at least £189.80 a week if you’re single or £301.22 a week if you’re claiming as a couple.
To arrive at this sum, you don’t count any income you get from:
working tax credits
incapacity benefit
contributory ESA
contributory JSA
severe disablement allowance
maternity allowance
maintenance payments
The most you can get from Savings Credit is £17.01 a week if you’re single or £19.04 if you’re claiming as a couple. Pensions Credit has become even more important recently after the decision to axe the Winter Fuel Payment for around 10 million people. To qualify for it people have to be on Pensions Credit - a benefit which they have to apply for.
Around 800,000 people who should be on Pensions Credit don’t get it, and because they’re some of the poorest in the country a campaign has been taking place to encourage them to try.
Pension Credit is a weekly benefit to boost your income. It’s based on how much money you have coming in.Age UK said there are 2 parts to Pension Credit called Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
It said people might get one or both parts. Guarantee Credit tops up weekly income to a minimum amount. Savings Credit is a small top-up for people who have a modest amount of income or savings. It’s only available if they reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
Age UK said: “If you think you won't get much Pension Credit, it could still be worth applying. If you get Pension Credit, you can usually get other benefits like Winter Fuel Payments or a Council Tax Reduction. If you’ve been told to claim Pension Credit by a certain date
“The Department for Work and Pensions are stopping some people’s tax credits and telling them to claim Pension Credit instead. If you get a letter telling you to claim Pension Credit by a certain deadline, this is a ‘tax credit closure notice’ (TCCN). You should claim Pension Credit by the deadline in the notice. Your tax credits will stop after the deadline. You might miss out on some money if you apply after the deadline.”
The Winter Fuel Payment is a payment people get once a year to help you pay for heating when it’s colder. From winter 2024 people will now only get the payment if you or your partner get certain benefits, like Pension Credit.
Age UK added: “It’s worth applying for Pension Credit even if you don’t think you’ll get much. If you get Pension Credit you’ll be able to get other money and help like the Winter Fuel Payment. You'll get a Winter Fuel Payment if you're entitled to Pension Credit at any point between 16 and 22 September 2024.
“You'll still get a Winter Fuel Payment if you successfully apply for Pension Credit by 21 December - as long as your Pension Credit is backdated to any date between 16 and 22 September. You won't get the Winter Fuel Payment until your Pension Credit claim is successful.”