This October, we’re running Pension Credit Week of Action to challenge some of the common misconceptions that stop people claiming Pension Credit. Many people mistakenly believe that owning a home, having savings or receiving a private pension automatically makes them ineligible. It doesn’t.
As a result, many people of State Pension age who could be entitled to Pension Credit never make a claim.
Here are some of the myths we’re tackling this year:
- Own your home? You may still be eligible for Pension Credit. Home ownership is not taken into account when entitlement is calculated.
- Have savings? You could still qualify if you have savings. The first £10,000 of savings is ignored. For every £500 of savings above £10,000, DWP assumes you have an extra £1 a week in income when calculating your Pension Credit entitlement.
- Receive State Pension? Pension Credit is paid in addition to your State Pension and could provide extra financial support.
- Think it happens automatically? Pension Credit is not paid automatically. People need to check their eligibility on GOV.UK and make a claim.
We’re asking stakeholders to help spread these important messages by sharing leaflets that will feature in our TV advert with your employees, customers, service users, members and stakeholders, putting up a poster, sharing posts from the official DWP Facebook channel on social media or creating and sharing your own video content featuring the leaflet.
By sharing this information, you could encourage someone to check their eligibility and access support they may otherwise miss out on.
To find out more about Pension Credit and how to apply, visit:
gov.uk/pension-credit/what-youll-get
gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim
To request printed A5 leaflets and A4 posters (due to be dispatched w/c 5 October), please email chiltonmannion.jobshare@dwp.gov.uk