DWP is using Housing Benefit data to identify pensioner households who may be entitled to the £3,900 annual income boost.
The Department for Work and Pension has confirmed that it is “directly contacting approximately 120,000 pensioner households” in receipt of Housing Benefit who may be eligible for Pension Credit, but are not claiming the £3,900 annual income boost. Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds explained that DWP can “identify and target” potentially eligible households using its own data.
“In order to maximise the take-up of Pension Credit, we have been running an extensive national campaign since September on a range of channels, including print and broadcast media to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim. The campaign targets potential pension-age customers, as well as friends and family who can encourage and support them to apply.”
She said: “Like all means-tested benefits, a person’s eligibility for Pension Credit and the amount they may get depends on their specific financial and personal household circumstances, information which DWP does not have.” Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it, how much you could get and where to get help filling in the form.
You might be able to get more than this if you're disabled or a carer, or you have certain housing costs.The exact amount you’ll get depends on your income and savings. Your income includes assumed income from savings and capital over £10,000. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.
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.
State Pension Fuel Bills DWP Personal Finance Money Worries Cost Of Living UK Government
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DWP alert as grandparents not claiming £10k state pension boostSome who look after their grandchildren regularly could eligible for an income boost of over £10,000
Read more »
DWP Pension Credit payment dates as backdated payments availableThe Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that almost 80% of all new claims for the benefit are being processed within the target timeframe
Read more »
DWP State Pension rise of £460 will not be paid to half a million pensionersWhen the 4% rise in state pension was announced, many breathed a sigh of relief but 500,000 pensioners already know they won’t see a penny of that
Read more »
New and Basic State Pension payment rules after a spouse or partner diesA State Pension claim from the DWP does not end automatically when a loved one dies.
Read more »
New DWP update for WASPI women affected by changes to State Pension ageDWP has suggested women affected by State Pension age changes get help to ‘retrain, return to or progress in work’.
Read more »
State Pension age warning as DWP allowance can be worth up to £434The latest figures from the DWP show there are now more than 1.6 million older people receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance
Read more »