 is urging people to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit. 1 If you're entitled to Pension Credit, you could get 100% off your Council Tax bill Credit: Alamy The benefit is designed to help people over state pension age (currently 66) and struggling to get by on a low income. The average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,500 a year and tops up a person's income to a minimum of £201.05 per week for single pensioners and to £306.85 for couples. Latest government figures suggest that around 850,000 eligible pensioners are missing out on the cash boost. The DWP is currently writing to thousands of households this summer inviting them to claim. Even a small award can unlock further support – such as help with housing costs, council tax and heating bills. If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could even get a 100% reduction in your Council Tax. You can call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234, or get in touch with your local council, to find out how much help you could be entitled to. You can find your local council by using a handy tool on the government's website. If you don't get Pension Credit then don't worry, you can get extra help if you're on a low income as well. For example, retirees with less than £16,000 in savings could be eligible for a discount. The reduction which single people can claim is also available to pensioners, so if you're a retiree living alone, you can get 25% off. Who is eligible for pension credit? It is available for people who are over the state pension age, and who live in England, Scotland or Wales. This is currently rising to 66 for both men and women. It used to be the case that couples, where one person was over state pension age, could claim, but new rules now mean){kind=link}
THOUSANDS of households are being urged to apply for a £3,500 cash boost that could entitle them to 100% off their Council Tax bill.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging people to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit.
The benefit is designed to help people over state pension age (currently 66) and struggling to get by on a low income.
The average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,500 a year and tops up a person’s income to a minimum of £201.05 per week for single pensioners and to £306.85 for couples.
Latest government figures suggest that around 850,000 eligible pensioners are missing out on the cash boost.