Older folks living alone might be eligible for a DWP income boost worth nearly £4,000 this year. The Office for National Statistics’ latest data reveals that in 2021, about 3.3 million individuals aged 65 and over were living solo in England and Wales, with roughly 337,000 single pensioner households noted in Scotland.
With the ongoing cost of living crisis, it’s crucial for older people living alone to claim all the extra financial help they’re entitled to.
Pension Credit is the most under-claimed benefit, designed specifically to provide additional financial aid for older people on a low income – both singles and couples. Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including more than 126,800 residing in Scotland, are currently receiving this means-tested benefit that could offer nearly £4,000 in extra support during the upcoming year.
However, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) latest figures suggest that there are still 880,000 eligible pensioners not claiming the benefit they’re entitled to, reports the Daily Record.
How to check Pension Credit eligibility
Older people, or their friends and family, can swiftly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV. UK here.
Pensioners can ring the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Here’s a quick look at the benefit, including who should check if they’re eligible, how to do it and how much you could get.
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit gives extra money to help with living costs for people over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also give access to other benefits.
The benefit currently boosts income to at least £201.05 per week for single pensioners and £306.85 for couples – more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.
From April 8, the payments will go up to £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples.
Who should check for Pension Credit?
If you are over 65 and reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, you could still qualify for Pension Credit if your weekly income is less than:
- £240.90 if you are single
- £351.45 if you are a couple
Other help if you get Pension Credit
If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax discount
- Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law changed so a ‘mixed age couple’ – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a ‘working age’ couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This means that both members of a couple must reach State Pension age before they can claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit. Before this change by the DWP, a mixed age couple could claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.
How to use the Pension Credit calculator
To use the calculator on GOV. UK, you’ll need details of:
- earnings, benefits and pensions
- savings and investments
You’ll also need the same details for your partner if you have one.
You will be asked a series of questions with multiple choice answers. These include:
- Your date of birth
- Your residential status
- Where in the UK you live
- Whether you are registered blind
- Which benefits you currently receive
- How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
- Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
- How much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensions
- Any employment earnings
- Any savings, investments or bonds you have
Once you’ve 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 shows how much benefit you could receive each week.
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.
There’s 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 for yourself or your family member to make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.
