The letter is being sent to those who may be eligible
The letter is being sent to those who may be eligible
The DWP is urging millions of Brits to keep an eye out for a letter that could lead to a financial boost. The Department for Work and Pensions are writing to 11 million people this month urging them to check if they qualify for Pension Credit.
The letter is being sent to those who may be eligible and encourages them to look into it further. Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
According to the DWP, if you get Pension Credit you can also get other help such as housing benefit, winter fuel payment, support for mortgage interest, council tax discount and help with heating costs through the warm home discount scheme.
The main part of Pension Credit is known as “Guarantee Credit” and this tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single, or to £332.95 if you’re in a couple. The average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,900 each year.
The DWP will send the letter about Pension Credit as part of its annual notification about the state pension going up in April. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell said: “Over the coming weeks, as part of the annual state pension uprating exercise, around 11 million pensioners will receive a leaflet promoting Pension Credit along with their state pension uprating letter.”
If you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have savings or a second pension, you may be eligible for the savings credit element of Pension Credit. This is worth £17.01 a week if you’re single, or £19.04 a week if you’re in a couple.
You might get additional payments if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person. You can apply for Pension Credit online on GOV.UK, by calling 0800 99 1234, or by printing out and filling in a paper application form.