Who is eligible for pension credit – and how to claim?
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With the cost of living crisis continuing to bite, people are keen to know more about what schemes are out there to help them out. Pension credits entitle those who are eligible to thousands more per year. Paid directly into your bank account, like other benefits they are designed to aid those living on a lower income.
People entitled to Pension Credit can also claim council tax discounts, free dental treatment, housing benefit and much more – including the Winter Fuel Payment to help you pay your heating bills. Pension credits are different from a state pension, so we’ve explained who can claim and how the government scheme works.
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Pension Credit is a means-tested income-related benefit for those over the State Pension age. People can earn two different types of Pension Credit. The first is Guarantee Credit, which tops up your weekly income if it’s below a certain amount. The second is Savings Credit, which is an additional payment for those who have money saved towards retirement, in the form of a pension or similar.
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If you’re single, you can get up to £218.15 of Guarantee Credit per week if you qualify and a potential additional Savings Credit of up to £17.01. If you have a partner, Pension Credit will top up your joint weekly income to £332.95 and you can claim an additional £19.04 a week if eligible.
