The Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a brand new marketing campaign urging older individuals and their households residing in Scotland or different components of the UK, to verify eligibility for Pension Credit score, a profit which could possibly be value greater than £3,300 every year.
Pension Credit score will help to top-up the earnings of retired individuals, even when they already obtain a State or non-public pension or have one other supply of earnings.
Some older individuals assume as a result of they've financial savings or personal their residence they might not be eligible for any Pension Credit score, however many are lacking out on the extra cash and reductions it supplies, each month.
Individuals who obtain Pension Credit score might additionally qualify for added monetary assist with Council Tax, Housing Profit, listening to payments and a free TV Licence for the over 75s.
New figures from the DWP present that round 131,600 older individuals in Scotland presently obtain Pension Credit score, nevertheless, many extra are nonetheless not claiming this additional monetary assist, which might assist to offset the price of residing disaster.
Beginning this month, promoting for Pension Credit score will function in web search outcomes and on social media, earlier than being expanded to nationwide and regional newspapers.
The DWP will even be distributing leaflets for companies to make use of inside Scottish communities, whereas companies may get entangled within the marketing campaign by spreading the phrase to their clients utilizing the DWP’s digital toolkit and inspiring them to name the declare line.
All State Pension recipients will proceed to obtain reminders about Pension Credit score within the publish as a part of the DWP’s annual uprating communications.
Presently, over 1.4 million older individuals throughout the UK obtain Pension Credit score, however it's estimated that as much as £1.7 billion is being left unclaimed by a whole bunch of 1000's of pensioners throughout the nation.
Henry Tapper, who runs the Pension Playpen, a community for pension professionals, describes Pension Credit score as a “door to extra”.
He informed BBC Radio 4’s Cash Field Dwell on April 2, how there’s extra to the profit than simply monetary assist.
He mentioned: “You don’t simply get the advantage of the Pension Credit score, it’s a door to extra - a door to issues like Council Tax reductions and free TV Licences [for over 75s] - an entire realm of nice issues.”
Presenter Paul Lewis added that in monetary phrases, Pension Credit score can present as much as £2,000 in financial profit plus an extra £1,000 or extra in different reductions and reductions.
Commenting on the brand new consciousness marketing campaign, Minister for Pensions Man Opperman mentioned: “We recognise the challenges some pensioners in Scotland will probably be dealing with with the price of residing which is why selling Pension Credit score is a precedence.
“Everybody with retired household, pals and family members ought to verify in with them to see if they'll get this additional assist.”
He added: “Pension Credit score will be claimed by cellphone and on-line, guaranteeing that older individuals can apply safely, wherever they're. The on-line Pension Credit score calculator can also be readily available to assist pensioners verify in the event that they’re more likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they could obtain.”
The marketing campaign additionally consists of tackling among the myths that will cease individuals making use of for the profit, equivalent to how having financial savings, a pension or proudly owning a house should not essentially boundaries to receiving Pension Credit score.
The on-line Pension Credit score calculator will help older individuals shortly verify if they're more likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may obtain - discover out extra right here.
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, mentioned: “Pension Credit score could make a giant distinction in case you’ve reached State Pension Age and haven’t received a lot cash coming in. With costs rising quickly in the meanwhile it’s extra essential than ever to say what’s rightfully yours. We urge any older one that thinks they could be eligible to place in a declare and Age UK is right here to supply recommendation and sensible assist that will help you with the method.
“Pension Credit score is one thing of a well-kept secret - many individuals have merely not heard of it. That’s an actual disgrace as a result of at Age UK we see how a lot it helps those that really obtain it. We hope this marketing campaign is step one in a sustained UK Authorities effort to carry Pension Credit score to the older public’s consideration, and we warmly assist it for that reason. Pension Credit score is absolutely essential for older individuals and deserves to be a lot better identified.”
Pension Credit score is designed to assist with every day residing prices for individuals over State Pension age and on a low earnings, although you don't want to be in receipt of State Pension to obtain it.
It tops up an individual's earnings to a minimal of £177.10 per week for single pensioners or £270.30 for couples, nevertheless, these quantities will rise to £182.60 per week for single pensioners and to £278.70 for couples from Monday, April 11.
Morgan Vine, Head of Coverage and Influencing at Unbiased Age, mentioned: “We all know this assist will be life-changing however for too lengthy, too many individuals over 65 who're eligible have been lacking out.
“With the cost-of-living disaster making life much more harsh for individuals over 65, it has by no means been extra pressing to take motion on Pension Credit score. Consciousness campaigns are one a part of the strategic method that's wanted at this important time, so it is vitally constructive to see the federal government working with native companions to ship consciousness elevating supplies.”
Discover out extra about Pension Credit score on the GOV.UK web site right here.
What's Pension Credit score?
Pension credit score is an income-related profit geared toward individuals residing within the UK over State Pension age.
It provides older individuals a weekly top-up to their earnings - you can too select to be paid fortnightly or each 4 weeks.
It’s out there to single pensioners, together with widows and widowers, in addition to couples.
To make use of the net calculator, you will want particulars of:
earnings, advantages and pensions
financial savings and investments
You’ll want the identical particulars in your associate you probably have one.
Who can not use the Pension Credit score calculator?
You can't use the calculator in case you or your associate:
are deferring your State Pension
personal a couple of property
are self employed
have housing prices (equivalent to service costs or Crown Tenant lease) that are neither mortgage repayments nor lease lined by Housing Profit
Learn how to make a declare
You can begin your software as much as 4 months earlier than you attain State Pension age.
You possibly can declare any time after you attain State Pension age however your declare can solely be backdated for 3 months.
This implies you may rise up to a few months of Pension Credit score in your first fee in case you had been eligible throughout that point.
You will want:
your Nationwide Insurance coverage quantity
details about your earnings, financial savings and investments
your checking account particulars, in case you’re making use of by cellphone or by publish
Get the most recent Report Cash information
Be part of the dialog on our Cash Saving Scotland Fb group for power and money-saving ideas, the most recent advantages information, client assist and recommendation on dealing with the price of residing disaster.
Signal as much as our Report Cash publication and get the highest tales despatched to your inbox each Tuesday and Friday - enroll right here.
You may also comply with us on Twitter @Recordmoney_ for normal updates all through the day.
When you’re backdating your declare, you’ll want particulars of your earnings, financial savings and investments on the date you need your declare to begin.
Apply on-line
You should use the net service if:
you've got already claimed your State Pension
there aren't any kids or younger individuals included in your declare
To verify your entitlement, cellphone the Pension Credit score helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit score calculator right here to learn the way a lot you possibly can get.
Get the most recent money-saving and advantages information despatched straight to your inbox. Signal as much as our weekly Cash publication right here.