Former Strictly Come Dancing Choose Len Goodman and Minister for Pensions Man Opperman have joined forces within the ballroom for a video to assist promote a profit which may give an estimated 850,000 individuals of State Pension age an annual earnings increase of as much as £3,300. Together with a monetary increase, profitable claimants may additionally entry reductions and reductions on housing and Council Tax.
Wednesday, June 15 was the Division for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) second annual Pension Credit score ‘Day of Motion’, with the goal of encouraging individuals over 66 to verify their eligibility for the gateway profit and make a declare. The UK-wide marketing campaign inspired everybody to pas the data on to somebody who may very well be eligible.
Client champion Martin Lewis, well-known charities, banks and pension suppliers, similar to Age UK, Virgin Cash and Authorized & Common additionally obtained behind the attention marketing campaign, taking to social media to assist unfold the message. Martin additionally mentioned the profit on his common slot on ITV's, This Morning.
The founding father of MoneySavingExpert.com defined: “It isn't usually I comply with workforce up with the [UK] Authorities on a marketing campaign, however I used to be completely happy to supply help for this one, as it is a nationwide tragedy that getting on for one million pensioners, a lot of whom have been paying into the system for years, are lacking out on a significant earnings increase.”
Martin even has a fast verify everybody can do to see if they need to contact the DWP and make a declare.
He stated: “My easy rule of thumb is in the event you (or somebody you recognize) are aged 66 or older, and have complete earnings of beneath roughly £200 per week, get on-line or name the Pension Credit score declare line to see in the event you’re due a cost that may be as a lot as £3,300 a 12 months.
“I’m not saying everybody will get it, however many will, and it solely takes a couple of minutes to search out out. So don’t stall, simply name.”
Martin added: “Not solely is that this critical cash, it’s additionally usually a gateway entitlement which means you’re due a variety of different assist, similar to Council Tax reductions, the £650 additional vitality funding assist, Heat Dwelling Low cost, housing profit, dental and optical therapies and, for the over-75s, a free TV licence.”
The newest figures from the DWP present that greater than 1.4 million older individuals are receiving Pension Credit score, together with some 129,671 residing in Scotland, nonetheless an estimated £1.7 billion is being left unclaimed.
And the DWP is reminding everybody that it’s not too late to get entangled and assist unfold the phrase concerning the significance of Pension Credit score - which may additionally open the door to different assist together with the £650 value of residing cost.
The primary instalment of the £650 means-tested Price of Residing Fee might be produced from July 14, nonetheless, the second cost might be within the autumn and the qualifying date has nonetheless to be confirmed.
This implies beginning an utility for Pension Credit score now, which later leads to an award for the profit may imply you might be additionally eligible for the £324 later within the 12 months.
Beneath is the whole lot you might want to find out about Pension Credit score, whether or not it is for you, a member of the family or a good friend.
What's Pension Credit score?
Pension Credit score offers individuals more money to assist with residing prices if they're over State Pension age and on a low earnings.
Some older individuals assume as a result of they've financial savings or personal their dwelling they'd not be eligible for any Pension Credit score, however 1000's may very well be lacking out on the additional cash and reductions it offers each month.
Greater than 1.4 million individuals over State Pension age throughout the UK are at present receiving the profit, together with some 129,671 residing in Scotland, and accessing further monetary assist with Council Tax, Housing Profit, listening to payments and a free TV Licence for the over 75s.
Different assist in the event you get Pension Credit score
In case you qualify for Pension Credit score you may also get different assist, similar to:
- Housing Profit in the event you lease the property you reside in
- Help for Mortgage Curiosity in the event you personal the property you reside in
- Council Tax low cost
- Free TV licence in case you are aged 75 or over
- Assist with NHS dental remedy, glasses and transport prices for hospital appointments
- Assist along with your heating prices via the Heat Dwelling Low cost Scheme
- A reduction on the Royal Mail redirection service in case you are transferring home
One of many quickest methods to search out out in case you are eligible, and the way a lot additional you may probably be paid each week, is to make use of the Pension Credit score calculator on the GOV.UK web site.
Blended aged older couples and Pension Credit score
In Could 2019, the regulation modified so that a ‘combined age couple’ - a pair the place one companion is of State Pension age and the opposite is beneath it - are thought of to be a ‘working age’ couple when checking entitlement to means-tested advantages.
This implies they can't declare Pension Credit score or pension age Housing Profit till they're each State Pension age.
Earlier than this DWP change, a combined age couple may very well be eligible to assert the extra beneficiant State Pension age advantages when simply one in every of them reached State Pension age.
The best way to use the Pension Credit score calculator
To make use of the calculator, you have to particulars of:
earnings, advantages and pensions
financial savings and investments
You’ll want the identical particulars on your companion if in case you have one.
Who can't use the Pension Credit score calculator?
You can not use the calculator in the event you or your companion:
are deferring your State Pension
personal a couple of property
are self employed
have housing prices (similar to service expenses or Crown Tenant lease) that are neither mortgage repayments nor lease lined by Housing Profit
The best way to make a declare
You can begin your utility as much as 4 months earlier than you attain State Pension age.
You may declare any time after you attain State Pension age however your declare can solely be backdated for 3 months.
This implies you may stand up to 3 months of Pension Credit score in your first cost in the event you have been eligible throughout that point.
You will have:
your Nationwide Insurance coverage quantity
details about your earnings, financial savings and investments
your checking account particulars, in the event you’re making use of by telephone or by submit
In case you’re backdating your declare, you’ll want particulars of your earnings, financial savings and investments on the date you need your declare to start out.
Apply on-line
You need to use the net service if:
you have got already claimed your State Pension
there are not any kids or younger individuals included in your declare
To verify your entitlement, telephone 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 may get.
To maintain updated with the newest pensions information and advantages, be a part of our Cash Saving Scotland Fb group right here, comply with Document Cash on Twitter right here, or subscribe to our twice weekly publication right here.
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