Older people on low incomes could be entitled to an income boost worth an average of £4,300 through Pension Credit.Older people on low incomes could be entitled to an income boost worth an average of £4,300 through Pension Credit.Older people on low incomes could be entitled to an income boost worth an average of £4,300 through Pension Credit.

State pensioners could claim up to £4,300 in Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit support. Older people on low incomes could be entitled to an income boost worth an average of £4,300 through Pension Credit.

Taking “just half an hour” could help older people discover if they are eligible for the benefit, which is worth £4,300. You can start applying for Pension Credit up to four months before you reach State Pension age, or any time after.

If you apply after reaching State Pension age, your claim can be backdated by up to three months. The processing time can vary, but a recent report from the Labour Party government indicated that almost one in four people wait longer than 50 working days for their claim to be picked up.

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760,000 people are eligible for this means-tested benefit but are not claiming it. Eligibility can be quickly checked using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK.

Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly on 0800 99 1234 – with helplines closed over Easter and set to reopen on Tuesday, April 22, meaning state pensioners can lodge their applications from this date forward.

Pension Credit has two parts. The main part is ‘Guarantee Credit’ and this is a low income top-up. The second part is ‘Savings Credit’, which is a bonus for low-income pensioners, who have nevertheless managed to put aside a little extra towards their pension income. You can qualify for one without the other.

With Guarantee Credit, if you’re single. If your weekly income (including pension) is below £227.10 a week, Pension Credit will top you up to this amount. If you’re in a couple. If your joint weekly income is below £346.60 a week, Pension Credit will top up your combined income to this amount.

With Savings Credit, if you’re single, for every £1 of income (made up from your savings, and other sources) you get above £198.27 a week, you get an extra 60p of Savings Credit, up to a maximum of £17.30 a week.

Once you hit this threshold, your Pension Credit is reduced by 40p for every £1 of income you receive above the level of your guarantee credit.