These are referred to by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as \u2018advanced\u2019 Pension Credit claims, where the application can be submitted before turning 66. The DWP confirmed earlier this year that it received 8,500 \u2018advanced\u2019 Pension Credit claims<\/a> in the last week of December, 2024.<\/p>\n READ MORE: State Pension age set to start rising to 67 next year<\/a>READ MORE: New call to \u2018phase out\u2019 State Pension uprating using the Triple Lock<\/a><\/p>\n In the Independent Age video<\/a>, Fran McSweeney, Head of National Services at the charity, shares essential tips on applying for Pension Credit. She explains that the benefit tops-up income from State Pension to a minimum level that the UK Government says older people need to live on.<\/p>\n Ms McSweeney added: \u201cOnce you receive Pension Credit you\u2019re also entitled to extra help with things like the cost of dental treatment on the NHS, the cost of glasses, help with your Council Tax and other housing costs.\u201d<\/p>\n She also said that if you have a disability, or are a carer, you might also qualify for a higher amount of Pension Credit, so it\u2019s important to mention that when making a claim.<\/p>\n You could get an extra \u00a382.90 a week if you get any of the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you care for another adult<\/strong><\/p>\n You could get an extra \u00a346.40 a week if:<\/p>\n If you and your partner have both claimed or are getting Carer\u2019s Allowance or Carer Support Payment, you can both get this extra amount.<\/p>\n Independent Age shares top five Pension Credit tipsCheck your eligibility<\/p>\n Check if you are eligible for the benefit either using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here<\/a>, calling the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 (lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday), or reading the guide on the Independent Age website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Even if you have savings or own your own home, you may still be eligible – the first \u00a310,000 of savings are not counted.<\/p>\n An award of just \u00a31 per week is enough to unlock additional support.<\/p>\n Apply early<\/p>\n You can apply for Pension Credit up to four months<\/strong> before reaching State Pension age (66) – full details on how to claim can be found on GOV.UK here.<\/a><\/p>\n Backdate your claim<\/p>\n Claims for Pension Credit can be backdated by up to three months as long as you were State Pension age or above during that time.<\/p>\n Gather information needed before making a claim<\/p>\n Have all the details you will need to hand before applying, this includes information about your income, savings or benefits you are claiming.<\/p>\n Call the Independent Age helpline<\/p>\n If you have any questions, or need any support completing the application, contact the charity on 0800 319 6789. You can also email them on helpline@independentage.org<\/p>\n Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it, how much you could get and where to get help filling in the form.<\/p>\n Who can claim Pension Credit?<\/p>\n There are two types of Pension Credit – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.<\/p>\n To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit<\/strong> , you must be State Pension age (66). Your weekly income will need to be less than the minimum amount the UK Government says you need to live on.<\/p>\n This is \u00a3227.10 for a single person and \u00a3346.60 for a couple – this amount could be higher if you’re disabled, a carer or have certain housing costs.<\/p>\n You can only get Savings Credit if:<\/strong><\/p>\n How much could you receive from DWP?<\/p>\n Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to:<\/strong><\/p>\n You might be able to get more than this if you’re disabled or a carer, or you have certain housing costs.<\/p>\n Savings Credit can give you up to:<\/strong><\/p>\n The exact amount you\u2019ll get depends on your income and savings. Your income includes assumed income from savings and capital over \u00a310,000.<\/p>\n Other help if you get Pension Credit<\/p>\n If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:<\/p>\n Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit<\/p>\n In May 2019, the law changed so a \u2018mixed age couple\u2019 – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a \u2018working age\u2019 couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.<\/p>\n This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.<\/p>\n How to use the Pension Credit calculator<\/p>\n To use the calculator on GOV.UK<\/a>, you will need details of:<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.<\/p>\n This includes:<\/strong><\/p>\n Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week.<\/p>\n All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator<\/a> for yourself or your family member to make sure you\u2019re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.<\/p>\n Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?<\/p>\n You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:<\/p>\n How to make a claim<\/p>\n You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months.<\/p>\n This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.<\/p>\n You will need:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re backdating your claim, you\u2019ll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.<\/p>\n Apply online<\/p>\n You can use the online service if:<\/p>\n To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here<\/a> to find out how much you could get.<\/p>\n Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group<\/a> for money-saving tips, the latest State Pension and benefits news, energy bill advice and cost of living updates.<\/p>\n Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday with a special cost of living edition every Thursday – sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also follow us on X<\/strong> (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_<\/a> for regular updates throughout the day or get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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