DWP warning as millions of pensioners are missing out on extra £4,000 every year

The (DWP) has recently confirmed that nearly 78 per cent of all new Pension Credit claims are processed - from initial application to award decision letter - within the target timeframe of 50 working days. This means that older people on a low income making a new claim this month, particularly those living alone, could receive their first payment and any arrears by mid-December.

The full New State Pension is now worth £221.20 per week and the full Basic State Pension worth £169.50. It's vital for older people - whether they're single, married or cohabiting - to ensure they're claiming all the additional financial support they're entitled to this winter to help offset the price cap increase of 10 per cent which came into effect on October 1.

The recent change to eligibility for the - worth up to £300 - means that Pension Credit claimants will automatically qualify and new claims made before December 21 will qualify for a backdated payment.

Pension Credit, which is specifically designed to provide additional financial support for older people on a low income - both singles and couples - is the most under-claimed benefit. Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain are currently receiving this means-tested benefit that could offer nearly £4,000 in extra support during the coming year.

READ MORE:

However, recent figures from the DWP indicate that there are still 880,000 eligible pensioners not claiming this benefit despite being entitled to it. Many mistakenly believe that because they have savings or own their home, they wouldn't qualify for this means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax.

An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support. Here's 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.

Who can claim Pension Credit?

There are two types of Pension Credit - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit, you must be State Pension age (66). Your weekly income will need to be less than the minimum amount the UK Government says you need to live on.

You can only get Savings Credit if:

• you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have a partner who reached State Pension age before this date and was already receiving it
• you have qualifying income of at least £189.80 a week for a single person and £301.22 a week for a couple

How much could you receive from DWP?

Guarantee Credit can top up your weekly income:

• £218.15 for a single person
• £332.95 for a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting)

Savings Credit can give you up to:

• £17.01 a week for a single person
• £19.04 a week for a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting

Savings Credit amount will depend on your income and savings. This includes assumed income from savings and capital over £10,000. You might be able to get more than this if you're disabled or a carer, or you have certain housing costs.

Eligibility for Pension Credit

To check your eligibility for Pension Credit, older people, or their friends and family, can quickly use the online Pension Credit calculator on

Alternatively, pensioners can ring the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Expert help and advice is also available:

More details about claiming Pension Credit can be found on

Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit

In May 2019, the law changed for 'mixed age couples' - where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it. They are now considered a 'working age' couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both are 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.

Other help if you get Pension Credit

If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:

• Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
• Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
• Council Tax discount
• Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
• Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
• Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme or Winter Fuel Payments
• A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house

How to use the Pension Credit calculator on GOV. UK

• You'll need details of your earnings, benefits and pensions, as well as any savings and investments. If you have a partner, you'll need their details too
• The process involves answering a series of multiple-choice questions

Once done, a summary screen will display your responses, allowing you to make any necessary changes before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator will then show how much benefit you could receive each week.

Simply follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you'll get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.

There's also an option to print off your answers to help speed up the application process. Try the for yourself or a family member to ensure you're receiving all the financial support you're entitled to.

However, the calculator can't be used if you or your partner are deferring your State Pension, own more than one property, are self-employed, or have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which aren't covered by Housing Benefit or mortgage repayments.

How to make a claim

You can begin your application up to four months before you hit State Pension age. You're free to claim any time after you reach State Pension age, but your claim can only be backdated for three months.

This means you could pocket up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that period. You'll need: your National Insurance number, details about your income, savings and investments, and your bank account details if you're applying by phone or post.

If you're backdating your claim, you'll need specifics of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.

Apply online

You can use the online service if: you've already claimed your State Pension and there are no children or young people included in your claim. To check your entitlement, ring the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK to discover how much you could get.

READ MORE: