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What is it?
Pension Credit is extra weekly money you might be entitled to if you or your partner are aged 60 or over.
Pension Credit consists of two parts – the guarantee credit and the savings credit. Anyone aged 60 or over can qualify for the guarantee credit but only people aged 65 or over qualify for the savings credit. The two elements are administered and paid together and there is one claim form.
If you get the guarantee credit there are a number of linked entitlements available that people who only receive the savings credit are not entitled to. For instance, if you receive the guarantee credit you may be able to get help with the cost of your mortgage and other home loans through Pension Credit.
Pension Credit payments are normally back-dated for 12 months. However, for claims made after October 2008 back-dating will only last for 3 months.
Can I get it?
If you go through the calculator we will work out whether you are entitled to Pension Credit and how much you might be able to claim.
The calculator indicates whether you are entitled to the guarantee credit and/or the savings credit. It also indicates the total amount of Pension Credit you could get – if you are entitled to both elements this is your guarantee credit and savings credit added together.
How do I claim?
Pension Credit is administered by the Pension Service. You can phone them to apply on 0800 99 1234. Lines are open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday. If you have speech or hearing difficulties the textphone number is 0800 169 0133.
Pension Service staff will take your application over the phone (or will call you back if it is more convenient).
They will then post the filled-in form to you so you can check it and sign it.
Alternatively you can download a claim form from the Pension Service website.
If you are also entitled to Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit then the Pension Service can also help you claim these benefits.
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