Pension Credits
What are Pension Credits?
Pension Credits are a means of boosting income for people who are aged 60 and over. About one in three of all people (aged 60 and over) are entitled to Pension Credits.
Pension Credits are divided in to two components:
Guarantee Credit and Working Age Credit.
Amazingly, £5.4 billion in benefits every year goes unclaimed by people who would be otherwise entitled to Pension Credits this year alone.
It is also estimated that 1.97 million older people who are eligible for Council Tax Benefit are not claiming it, collectively missing out on £1.5 billion a year from this benefit alone - an average of £728 each.
Given these amounts, it is not surprising that 1.8 million pensioners continue to live in poverty.
Find out now if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, for FREE. Just click the link below to get started.
Who is eligible for Pension Credits?
Unlike State Retirement Pension, all people who are aged 60 and over can apply for Pension Credits.
Guarantee Credit is payable to people aged 60 and over. As the name suggests, it guarantees a minimum level of income. If you are entitled, you may also find that you are eligible for other benefits and allowances
Savings Credit is payable to people aged 65 and over. It is intended as a reward for those who have made modest provision for their later years. For example, those with a private pensions and those with savings.
If you, or someone you know, are finding it more difficult to make ends meet, then it is important to acknowledge the situation and find out if you are eligible for Pension Credit.
Even if you are managing your budget, are you sure that you are receiving all that is rightfully yours? When you paid your National Insurance, you were contributing to the well-being of others. Now it is your turn.
To help you identify with your situation, we have enclosed a couple of facts:
- A single man is eligible from the date of his 60th birthday. He does not have to wait until he is 65!
- In the case of a couple, it is not necessary for both people to have attained the age of 60.
Find out now if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, for FREE. Just click the link below to get started.
Can I claim Pension Credits if I am already claiming other benefits?
Yes you can!
Pension Credits can be claimed in addition to other benefits and allowances.
You are eligible for the Guarantee Credit at 60 and Savings Credit at 65.
Some people qualify for one "credit" whilst others may qualify for both. What is sure is that you will not lose other benefits.
Any extra money received through Savings Credit does not cause Housing and Council Tax Benefits to reduce.
Whether you are a home-owner or a tenant you can still be eligible for Pension Credit.
To understand your full eligibility you need independent advice. For this, you need a dedicated professional to assess your complete circumstances confidentially.
Find out now if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, for FREE. Just click the link below to get started.
How much Pension Credit can I get?
The Guarantee Credit ensures a minimum weekly income of:
- £132.60 if you are single
- £202.40 if you have a partner
These amounts may be more if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments.
The Savings Credit can be up to:
- £20.52 a week if you are single
- £27.09 a week if you have a partner
- You may still get the Savings Credit even if the money you have coming in is approaching:
- £184 a week if you are single
- £270 a week if you have a partner
Again, these amounts may be more if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments.
Find out now if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, for FREE. Just click the link below to get started.
Case study
65-year-old Geoff did not know that he and his wife were entitled to Pension Credit.
"I worked for London Transport for the majority of my working life before being struck down with a series of illnesses. At 63, I realised I could no longer work but I was worried because I was still short of State Retirement Pension Age (i.e. 65) and couldn’t claim my state pension".
In the case of Geoff, he was put in touch with Housing Benefit Helpline, who were able to assist him through the claims process. Better still, his entitlement to Pension Credit then allowed for full payment of the council tax bill.
Luckily for Geoff after contacting Housing Benefit Helpline was able to receive the advice he needed.
Yet about a third of those eligible (up to 1.6 million older people) are not claiming Pension Credit.
If you are one of them‚ you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of pounds a year.
This case study is fictitious, but helps to illustrate just some of the many ways in which Housing Benefit Helpline can help change peoples lives for the better.
Find out now if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, for FREE. Just click the link below to get started.
Why do Pension Credits go unclaimed?
Many people who could claim Pension Credits do not do so.
Some of the reasons are as follows:
- A lack of awareness about benefits to which you may be entitled and how to make a claim
- Claim forms can be lengthy and complicated. This can lead to a form being completed incorrectly or, in the worst case, not at all
- People do not realise that they might be entitled to claim. (As mentioned, Pension Credits reward people who have contributed towards their retirement funds)
- Customers do not always know where their Pension Credit office is. Sometimes, it is anything other than "local" and the thought of a "phone call" might be off-putting
- A health condition can make it impractical and/or uncomfortable. It can even stop a person from making a claim for Pension Credit. You might not be in the best frame of mind to be completing a claim form adequately
- A fear that the member of staff might misunderstand your situation
- You might feel too proud to claim benefits or thought the claims process was too intrusive.
Find out now if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, for FREE. Just click the link below to get started.
What if I have been refused Pension Credit?
Due to the inefficiencies of certain "officials" it has been known for refusals to be over-turned when the claim has been re-presented in a professional and methodical manner (i.e. by a professional company or consultant).
Many times, the refusal decision is based on an incorrect presentation of certain information by the claimant or by an incorrect assessment from the particular benefits office/r in question.
We have found 40% or more of "refused claims" have a very good chance of being overturned.
Needless to say, this issue is very important.
Full claim acceptance not only over-turns a previous refusal, but it also means you will probably be eligible for back-payments from the point of an initial claim.
This alone could often lead to thousands of pounds in back-payments due to you.
Find out now if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, for FREE. Just click the link below to get started.
How can I find out if I am eligible for Pension Credit or if my refusal can be overturned?
This part is very simple!
Find out now if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, for FREE. Just click the link below to get started.
What is the difference between using Housing Benefit Helpline or asking the Benefit office directly?
- Which gives a personalised benefits health check
- Up to 40% of rejected claims by the benefit office are found to be incorrect
- Similar to private health care, you will be given personalised time and attention, which is sometimes lacking in government offices
- The FREE Review can be done from the comfort of your own home, and in your own time, and at your own convenience
- We look to advise all applicants in maximising their entitled benefits from several benefit departments
- Professional, Impartial and non biased consultants, will show all available benefits you may be entitled to, and if required help you to claim them
- Housing Benefit Helpline have an Excellent track record for maximising claims, over turning rejected claims and securing back payments.
Find out now if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, for FREE. Just click the link below to get started.
Are you getting all the benefits you are entitled to?
Housing Benefit Helpline has a number of consultants who many have over twenty years experience in administering a wide range of benefits and allowances.
We can help secure rightful entitlement to Pension Credits as well as other benefits and allowances.
This puts Housing Benefit Helpline in a very strong position with which to help potential claimants just like you.
To see what some of our existing clients feel about our service, read our testimonials.
We can undertake a full assessment of your circumstances for FREE and you can rest assured that we are working independently just for you - and nobody else.
Find out now if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to, for FREE. Just click the link below to get started.
It only takes a couple of minutes to complete our review form. In so doing, it is essential that the information you provide is as accurate as possible to allow us to gather the full extent of Pension Credits and any other benefits and allowances that may be available to you.
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