Get Pension Credit support
Check if you are eligible
Pension Credit can top up your regular income - but it can also be a passport to other forms of support, including the free over-75s TV licence, council tax exemption, winter fuel payments, and boiler replacement support.
Many people are not getting the support that they are entitled to. Around 2,600 households in the Birmingham Northfield constituency are believed to be eligible but they do not receive Pension Credit.
You might still be eligible for Pension Credit even if your income is higher than the threshold. If you are in any doubt then please check whether you are entitled to the extra support.
What are the criteria?
The best way to check your eligibility is to speak to an adviser. Please click below - Pension Credit - get independent advice - for details of free local and national advice services.
The below advice is based on the official criteria, but it is guidance only.
Be of pensionable age
You (and your partner, if you have one) must be of pensionable age or you (or your partner) are in receipt of Housing Benefit for people over the state pension age.
Income
Pension Credit will top up your income to £218.15 a week if you are single, or joint income to £332.95 a week if you have a partner.
If you have savings of more than £10,000 then £1 a week will be deducted from these totals for every £500 that you have above £10,000. Some forms of income – such as Attendance Allowance – do not count towards your weekly total. If you are in doubt then please talk to an adviser.
Savings Credit – for people who retired before 06 April 2016
If you retired before 06 April 2016 and have some savings then you might be eligible for Pension Credit even if your income is higher than the weekly threshold. This is called Savings Credit. Please speak to an adviser.
Note: if you are not eligible for Pension Credit then you should still get Winter Fuel payments if you are in receipt of one of: Universal Credit; income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA); Income Support; Child Tax Credit; or Working Tax Credit.
Pension Credit - how to apply
What you’ll need
There are number of ways that you can apply for Pension Credit.
Before applying, you should have to hand: (a) your National Insurance Number, (b) details of any income, savings, or investments, and (c) those same details for three months ago (or on your retirement date if you retired within the last three months).
How to apply
By phone: DWP 0800 99 1234 Freephone service – open 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Online: apply-for-pension-credit.service.gov.uk/ (note – there is no www. before the link)
By post: A form can be printed out – this can be downloaded from: https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim
If you do not have access to a printer then please contact my office by emailing laurence.turner.mp@parliament.uk or by phoning: 0121 516 5770
Pension Credit - get independent advice
There are a number of sources of independent advice and support for Pension Credit applications.
Northfield Community Partnership (NCP)
Northfield Community Partnership can assist with the application process (as well as supporting applications for other DWP entitlements).
By phone: 0121 411 2157
Independent Age helpline
Independent Age is the only national charity that is dedicated solely to the issue of low incomes among older people.
Its free national helpline advisers can help with the preparation of a Pension Credit claim.
By phone: 0800 319 6789 (08:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday - freephone)
Birmingham Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB)
The Citizens Advice Bureau can provide guidance on a wide range of matters, including on benefits / social security.
By phone: 0808 278 7990 (09:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday - freephone)
Northfield MP’s office
If you have submitted an application but you then have problems with the DWP (such as delays in replying) then you can contact my office.
By phone: 0121 516 5770 (09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday)
By email: laurence.turner.mp@parliament.uk