Let’s Talk Money: Pension Credit
As you get older, it’s important to check that you’re receiving all the financial support available to you. One of the best ways to do this is by checking if you qualify for Pension Credit.
What is Pension Credit?
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 open the door to additional support, such as full coverage for housing costs, free dental care, and eye care.
Importantly, you can still receive Pension Credit even if you have your own pension. The savings thresholds are also a bit higher than you might expect, making it worthwhile to explore your eligibility.
Plus, when eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment changes in Northern Ireland to align with recent announcements elsewhere, even a small Pension Credit award will help ensure you receive this essential support.
Find out more about Pension Credit
Ellen’s story
Ellen is 76 and lives alone in a property she rents from Apex. She gets a State Pension of £154 per week and has a small Civil Service pension of £280 per month. Ellen has a few health conditions and receives the lower amount of Attendance Allowance.
Ellen applied for Pension Credit after initially being put off because she had savings of around £8,000. She was advised that this amount wouldn’t affect the amount she received and was awarded £98.05 of Pension Credit per week.
‘Do one thing’
If you ‘do one thing’ this Talk Money Week, get in touch with a member of our Welfare Advice Team.
Clodagh, Daniel and Hayley are qualified benefits advisers and can help you check your eligibility for Pension Credit. Make sure you don’t miss out on benefits that could ease your financial burden.
Tel: 028 7130 4800
Email: welfareadvice@apex.org.uk
