How long does pension credit take to process

What is Pension Credit? Pension Credit is a benefit for people over State Pension age on lower incomes. It has two parts: Guarantee Credit Savings Credit. Need more information on pensions? Our help is impartial and free to use, whether that's online or over the phone.

Back to top. Guarantee Credit. Savings Credit. UK website. Additional Pension Credit in special circumstances. Want to feel more in control of your finances?

To claim Guarantee Credit, you need to have reached State Pension age. How your claim could be affected by pension pots you have. Leaving your pot untouched. Flexible retirement income. Eligibility for couples — changes since 15 May Find out more in our guide Joint Universal Credit for couples.

Note that the above changes are for new claims only. When and how to apply for Pension Credit. To apply for Pension Credit you will need to provide certain information. This includes: your bank account details your National Insurance number evidence of your income and your savings or investments. What to do if your circumstances change. Claim a free TV Licence. Find out more in our guide Paying your TV Licence. Was this information useful?

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Talk to us live for pensions guidance using web chat. This can help to open up important conversations that could make a real difference to the lives of their loved ones. Pension Credit: are you eligible? Pension Credit: do you have family or friends over State Pension age? Download social media images directed at potential customers. Download social media images directed at influencers. We estimate that up to 1 million pensioner households may be entitled to Pension Credit, but do not claim it.

Reaching these people is not always easy, but they may be more open to listening to people they trust. This might include:. Many pensioners claim Pension Credit when there is a change in their lives. So talking to them when these changes happen is a good idea. Many people claim when a life event makes them stop and think about their finances. These can be things like:. Often, people have applied for Pension Credit in the past and have been told at the time that they were not eligible.

People are more likely to be susceptible to messages at different life-cycle points. For example:. The Pension Credit calculator can be useful in finding out how much Pension Credit someone may be entitled to — without giving any personal details. There are a number of barriers that stop pensioners claiming Pension Credit.

They may wrongly think they are not eligible because they:. Plus, getting Pension Credit can provide a passport to help with things like rent, council tax, Cold Weather Payments and a free TV licence for people aged 75 and over.

False — People can have savings or another pension and still get extra money. False — Homeowners can get Pension Credit too. In fact, almost half of the people who get Pension Credit own their own home. False — People can claim as soon as they reach the qualifying age, which is now State Pension age.

False — Personal circumstances could have changed and their income or capital may have changed as a result. False — they can claim with one simple free phone call Even if someone only gets a small amount of Pension Credit, it can open the door to receiving other benefits and services like Cold Weather Payments and free dental treatment. However, if they wish, people can fill out a paper claim form, which can now be downloaded from the GOV. Use the Pension Credit calculator to work out how much you might get.

This is called the child addition. If you get Tax Credits, you could get support for the child or young person through Child Tax Credits. Contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre if you are not sure whether you are eligible for the child addition.

If your entitlement stops for any reason, for example your circumstances change, you cannot start getting it again unless you or your partner are eligible under the new rules. You can start getting it again when your partner reaches State Pension age. You can apply any time after you reach State Pension age, but your application can only be backdated for 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. If you want to backdate your claim, you will need details of your and your partner's 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.

For information about how to apply online, downloading an application form, asking for a form and applying by telephone, go to the link below:. It is a safe, convenient and efficient payment method. Your income may affect how much Pension Credit you can get. Find out more about how your income may affect Pension Credit, how Pension Credit is paid and how it might affect your other benefits, on the following page:.

They will always be clearly marked as DfC and will never ask you to give, or click a link to give, personal information or financial details by message or email. If you suspect you have received a fraudulent message as a scam, please contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre immediately. It tops up your income if you're struggling to make ends meet. But if you're over 75 and claiming Pension Credit, you could still be eligible for a free TV licence.

Already claim Pension Credit? Find out more Find out the latest. Savings Credit is extra money if you've got some savings or your income is higher than the basic State Pension. It's only available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April You could get up to:.

There's nothing to lose by applying, but potentially a lot to gain — and even if you've previously been turned down, it can be worth making a new claim each year. Benefits rates change every year , as can your finances. Even if you own your home, you may still be eligible for Pension Credit. Nearly 1.