Applying for Pension Credit

You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, a pension, savings or own your own home. Even a small award of Pension Credit can provide access to a wide range of other benefits.

When to apply

You can start your application up to 4 months before you reach State Pension age.

You can apply any time after you reach State Pension age, but your application can only be backdated by three months. This means you can get up to 3 months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.

• Calculating your State Pension age

What you need to claim

You will need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:

• National Insurance number
• information about any income, savings and investments you have
• information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually 3 months ago or the date you reached State Pension age)

You will also need your bank account details, if you are applying by phone or by post

Ways to apply for Pension Credit

You can apply for Pension Credit online, by telephone, by post or download a form on this page

Apply online

You can use the online service if you have already applied for your State Pension.

Claim by telephone

You can apply for Pension Credit by phone. To make a claim, telephone the Northern Ireland Pension Centre Application Line. Calls are free.

A family member or friend can call for you - you must be with them when they call.

If you use sign language, you might be able to use the video relay service to apply for Pension Credit using British Sign Language (BSL) or Irish Sign Language (ISL). To access the service go to:

• the Northern Ireland Pension Centre

Download a form

You can download a claim form which also has notes to help you fill it in. You can fill in this version online and print off your completed form:

• Pension Credit application form

Send your completed form to the Northern Ireland Pension Centre

To calculate your payment, the Department for Communities uses the date it receives your form, not the date you download the claim form.

If you disagree with a decision

If you are refused Pension Credit or think it has been calculated wrongly, ask the Northern Ireland Pension Centre to look at the decision again. If you are still unhappy with the outcome, you can appeal to an independent Appeal Tribunal.

• Appeal against a benefits decision

Housing Benefit, Rate Relief or help with mortgage interest payments

The Northern Ireland Pension Centre can also help you apply for Housing costs at the same time as your application for Pension Credit.

• Housing Benefit and Rate Relief for homeowners

Or you may qualify for help with your mortgage interest payments:

• Support for Mortgage Interest

Get a proof of benefit letter for Pension Credit

A proof of benefit letter may be needed to access various government supports and services.

If you need proof that you are getting Pension Credit you can get a proof of benefit letter

If you cannot use the online service you can contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

Help and advice

For further information and advice on Pension Credit or help with making a claim contact:

• Northern Ireland Pension Centre

More useful links

• Make the Call
• Advice NI
• Northern Ireland Housing Executive