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Pension credit
Rates of pension credit and how to claim
Look at the figures on below. If your income is less than the amounts shown for your particular circumstances then you should make a claim for pension credit. The rules for pension credit are very complicated and this is only a rough guide. If in doubt about your entitlement seek advice or make a claim.
How to claim
Call the local Benefits Agency for a claim form on 0800 991234 or
call 0845 606 0265 for general enquiries from 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday
and 9am - 1pm on a Saturday.
If you are living alone
Look at the figures below. If your income is less than the amounts shown for your particular circumstances then you should make a claim for pension credit. Your income will be increased to the figure shown.
Pensioner (aged over 60) : £130.00
Severely Disabled Pensioner : £182.85
i) in receipt of attendance allowance or the middle or higher rate of care component of disability living allowance and
ii) nobody claims carers allowance and
iii) lives alone or is a joint tenant or occupier or has dependants under 18 or lives only with a dependant adult/partner who is registered blind or lives only with somebody else on attendance allowance for the middle or higher rate of care component of disability living allowance.
If you are married or living with a partner
Look at the figures below. If your income is less than the amounts shown for your particular circumstances then you should make a claim for pension credit. Your income will be increased to the figure shown.
Pension Credit : £ 198.45
You or partner aged 60 or over
Severely Disabled Pensioner : £ 304.15
i) both in receipt of attendance allowance or the middle or higher rate of care component of disability living allowance and
ii) nobody claims invalid care allowance for either partner and
iii) lives alone or is a joint tenant or occupier or has dependants under 18. or lives only with a dependant adult/partner who is registered blind or lives only with somebody else on attendance allowance for the middle or higher rate of care component of disability living allowance.
These amount could be higher in certain circumstances such as if you have housing costs such as mortgage interest.
Further information
Income usually counts in full. Some income is not counted or is only counted in part. Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance care and mobility are ignored when calculating your income.
Capital and savings are ignored if they total below £6,000.
There is a reduction in pension credit if the savings are above £6,000. This is called tariff income. It is calculated as £1 of income per week for every £500 of savings or capital above £6,000. For example, if you have £6,100 savings then the tariff would be £1. If you have £6,600 it would be £2.
This leaflet does not apply to anyone living in residential accommodation or a nursing home or someone in hospital for over 52 weeks.
There is an additional credit called Savings Credit paid if you or your partner are aged over 65.
The maximum credit is £16.44 for a single person and £21.51 for a couple. This can be added to the amounts mentioned above.
There is also a carers addition of £25.80 to somebody either receiving or with an underlying entitlement to carers allowance. You should always seek advice from an advice centre before claiming carers allowance.
Appeals
If you are turned down it is always worth asking advice about an appeal. If you get refused pension credit or get less than you expected you should seek advice as you can lose what you already have. You have one month to appeal from the date of the letter telling you the decision.
Coventry Law Centre will advise you about appealing and may represent you
at the hearing. The Law Centre offers free legal advice and representation.
You can contact the Law Centre for an appeal appointment on 7622 3053.
024
7622 3053