Help with the Cost of Living

Help with Pension Credit

Pension Credit 

Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

If you’re in a couple, you’ll both need to have reached state pension age. You don't have to be married or in a civil partnership, you're considered a couple if you live together. For couples, one partner applies and then provides income and savings details for both partners.

Your Income

When you apply for Pension Credit your current income and savings are assessed.  If you have a partner, your joint income and savings are assessed.

Pension Credit tops up:

  • your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single
  • your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner

Note - If your income is higher than above figures, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability (and are in receipt of a disability benefit); you care for someone; you have savings or you have housing costs.

  • For example: if you are single, receive State Pension of £200 weekly and in receipt of Attendance Allowance your potential entitlement to Pension Credit would be £99.65 or if you are not in receipt of Attendance Allowance, your potential entitlement to Pension Credit would be £18.15.

What income is included in the calculations:

  • State Pension
  • other pensions
  • earnings from employment and self-employment
  • some social security benefits, for example Carer’s Allowance

What income is not included in the calculations:

  • Adult Disability Payment
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Christmas Bonus
  • Child Benefit
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Social fund payments like Winter Fuel Allowance
  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Reduction

If you have deferred your pension 

If you’re entitled to a personal or workplace pension and you have not claimed it yet, the amount you’d expect to get still counts as income.

Other entitlements you may be eligble for

If you get Pension Credit, there may be additional entitlements such as:

  • Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
  • Winter Fuel Payment
  • Council Tax reduction
  • A free TV License if you’re aged 75 or over
  • NHS costs such as glasses and transport costs
  • Warm Home Discount scheme
  • Support with Mortgage interest if you own the property you live in

If you require help to apply, please phone the Welfare Support Team on 0800 090 1004 or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk

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