As the cost of living crisis takes hold and with winter energy prices set to soar, there’s never been a better time to check if you are entitled to Pension Credit – money from the government for people of state pension age living on a low income.

As the cost of living crisis takes hold and with winter energy prices set to soar, there’s never been a better time to check if you are entitled to Pension Credit – money from the government for people of state pension age living on a low income.

CLEM RICHARDS, 65+ ADVOCATE AT BONNY DOWNS

What is pension credit?

Pension Credit is extra money that you may be entitled to from the government if you’re over State Pension age and living on a low income.

However, not everyone knows about it and the government says that £1.7 billion of Pension Credit is currently going unclaimed by people who are entitled to it.

Pension credit tops your weekly income up to a guaranteed minimum level of £182.60 a week for single pensioners or £278.70 for couples.

The average Pension Credit payment is over £65 per week – that’s over £3,000 per year. For some people, it can be even more.

In addition, once you start to receive Pension Credit this can help you unlock other financial support for things like rent, council tax, Cold Weather Payments, and free dental care.

Who is eligible for pension credit?

Pension Credit is available for people over State Pension age who live in Great Britain and have a low income.

You may be entitled to Pension Credit even if you do not receive a State Pension, if you have some savings, or if you own your home. So it is always worth checking.

Sometimes, people have applied for Pension Credit in the past and not been eligible. But a change in your circumstances means that you could be eligible today – for example, following the death of your partner or if you are facing ill-health – so it may be worth checking again now.

How can I check if I’m eligible?

Our Bonny Downs 65+ Advocacy service can help you find out if you’re eligible and, if we think you are, help you make your claim.

This service is completely free of charge, and there are no strings attached. Our aim is to make the process quick and simple, and to ensure you receive the benefits you are rightfully entitled to. We can often help you to find support for other challenges you may be facing too, if you wish us to.

To start the process, all you need to do is give us a call on 07449 105 436 during the hours of 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday or email us.

We’ll ask you the right questions and do the appropriate checks to see if you could be eligible. And we’ll treat the information you share with us confidentially and not share it with anyone else.

We also welcome referrals. So, if you have a family member, or you support someone who you think may be struggling and eligible for Pension Credit, please get in touch for a confidential discussion. If you want to know more about the other free services we provide for over-65s, we’d also be happy to hear from you!

“The government says that £1.7bn of Pension Credit is going unclaimed. That’s an awful lot of money that older people are missing out on, and we want to make sure our older neighbours in Newham receive the financial support they are fully entitled to.”

CLEM RICHARDS, 65+ ADVOCATE AT BONNY DOWNS