Citizens Advice Charnwood

Citizens Advice Charnwood urges people who are on State Pensions and have a low income to check and see whether they are entitled to Pension Credit.
According to figures gathered by the DWP last June, an estimated £1.7 billion was left unclaimed.
Pension Credit is for people who have reached state pension age to boost their income based on how much money they have coming in. It tops up their weekly income to the amount the government says they need to live on:-
£201.05 if you’re single
£306.85 if you have a partner.
Pension Credit is not taxable and can be paid to homeowners, tenants and people in other circumstances such as living with family or friends. When someone receives Pension Credit they also get help with other things like housing benefits, council tax, NHS costs, support for mortgage interest costs and more.
It is administered by the Pension Service, part of the DWP.
Anyone who has reached State Pension age can apply. If they have a partner they must also be of state pension age. If you live with a partner you’ll need to give the Pension Service the same information about them. You’ll also need to provide information of anyone else living with you, such as details about any benefits they’re receiving. You won’t need to give detail about their income.
There are two parts to Pension Credit – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. You might get one or both parts.
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to the minimum amount. If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments this will not affect your Pension Credit.
If you have more than £10,000, every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.
Savings Credit is a small top-up for people who have a modest amount of income or savings. It’s only available if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
How to claim:
By telephone – Pension Credit claim line
Telephone: 0800 99 1234
Textphone: 0800 169 0133
When you call they will ask you questions about your income and savings or those of the person on whose behalf you are calling. Make sure you have the following:

• National Insurance number
• Bank, building society or Post Office
  card account details
• Details of how much money is
  coming in each week, such as from
  a pension
• Details of any savings and
  investments
• Housing costs, such as rent or
  mortgage repayments
• Benefit payments – information
  about any received
  Other ways to claim:
  Online on the gov.uk website
  Request for a form to be sent to your home
  Ask the Pension Service for a home visit
  Detailed information about Pension Credit and eligibility can be found on the Citizens Advice website – www.citizensadvice.org.uk
  If you are unsure about whether you qualify for Pension Credit, just need more information or need help with the application process, ring our Local Enquiry line on 01509 649 605 and ask to speak to one of our Advisers. Alternatively, you can call the National Advice line on 0800 144 8848 Textphone 18001 0800 144 8884.