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Understanding Pension Credit

If you’ve reached the minimum qualifying age you may be entitled to Pension Credit - extra money each week. It's made up of two elements - the 'Guarantee Credit' and the 'Savings Credit' (which may be payable from age 65).

Who is eligible?

If you have reached the minimum qualifying age

If you're living in the UK and have reached the minimum qualifying age, you may be entitled to the 'Guarantee Credit' element (which guarantees a minimum income if you're on a low income) if either of the following applies to you:

  • you're single and your weekly income is below £145.40
  • you have a partner and your joint weekly income is below £222.05

The term ‘partner’ refers to your husband, wife or civil partner, or the person you live with as if they were your husband, wife or civil partner.

But you might get more Pension Credit if you have caring responsibilities, have severe disabilities or have certain housing costs.

The age from which you can get Pension Credit is going up to 66 in line with the increase in State Pension age for women and the further increase to 66 for men and women. Use the State Pension age calculator to find out more about the rise in women's State Pension age and when you can apply for Pension Credit.

If you're aged 65 or over

If you or your partner are aged 65 or over you could be entitled to the 'Savings Credit' element if either of the following applies to you:

  • you're single and your total weekly income from money you have coming in (such as pensions, savings, earnings and investments) is between £115.30 and £190.55 a week
  • you have a partner and your joint weekly income from money you and your partner have coming in (such as pensions, savings, earnings and investments) is between £183.90 and £279.30 a week

For more details you can telephone the Pension Credit enquiry line on 0808 100 6165 or textphone 0808 100 1165. Open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

What counts as income?

Income that's taken into account includes:

  • State Pension
  • occupational and private pensions
  • most social security benefits like Carer's Allowance
  • an 'assumed income' of £1 a week for every £500 (or part of £500) of 'capital' you have over £10,000 (capital includes savings and investments, and property that's not your main home)
  • earnings after tax and expenses from employment or self-employment, less half of any occupational or personal pension contribution you make
  • Working Tax Credit

Income that's ignored includes:

  • Attendance Allowance
  • Christmas Bonus
  • Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance
  • War Widow's Supplementary Pension
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

To get complete lists, you can telephone the Pension Credit enquiry line 0808 100 6165 or textphone 0808 100 1165. Lines are open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.

How much do you get?

The qualifying age or over - guarantee credit element

If you are living in the UK and have reached the minimum qualifying age:

  • If you're single, you’ll get the difference between £145.40 and your total weekly income if it's less than this.
  • If you live with a partner, you’ll get the difference between £222.05 and your joint total weekly income if it's less than this

But you may get more money if you have caring responsibilities, have severe disabilities or have certain housing costs.

Age 65 or over - savings credit element

If you or your partner are aged 65 or over, you may be entitled to the guarantee credit, the savings credit or both.

The savings credit is a maximum:

  • £18.06 a week if you're single
  • £22.89 a week if you have a partner  

How it's paid

'Direct payment' into an account is the Social Security Agency’s normal way of paying pensions and benefits. It is a safe, convenient and efficient method of payment.

Effect on other benefits

If you're getting Pension Credit you may also qualify for:

When to apply for Pension Credit

You can apply up to four months before the date from which you want to start getting Pension Credit. The Pension Credit qualifying age is gradually increasing in line with the increase in women's State pension age. You can use the State Pension age calculator to find out the date you can start claiming Pension Credit.

The maximum period for backdating your Pension Credit claim is three months.

If you want Pension Credit to start from a past or future date, you need to tell the Pension Service when you apply.

How to apply

Over the telephone

You can call the Northern Ireland Pension Centre, Pension Credit. An adviser will help you apply for Pension Credit and let you know what happens next.

Housing Benefit, Rate Relief or help with mortgage interest payments

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

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

Download a form and print

You can download, print and complete the application form to post free-of-charge to the Northern Ireland Pension Centre, Pension Credit.

What to do if your circumstances change

Tell the Northern Ireland Pension Centre, Pension Credit if your circumstances change, so you continue to get the right amount of Pension Credit.

How to appeal

If you're refused Pension Credit or think it's been calculated wrongly, ask the Northern Ireland Pension Centre to reconsider the decision. If you're still unhappy with the outcome you can appeal to an independent Appeal Tribunal.

You can find out more about the appeals process in the Department for Social Development (DSD) booklet 'If you think our decision is wrong'.

Do it online