Pension Credit is for people of 60 and over and there is no upper savings limit.

This benefit depends on your savings and income (often called means-tested benefits) and they are not based on National Insurance contributions.

Pension Credit has two parts (you may be entitled to one or both of these)

• the guarantee credit - this will top up your income to a set amount. The standard level changes each April. The person who applies must be over 60, but their partner can be younger.
• the savings credit (which provides extra cash to people of 65 and over who have income over a set level because they have saved and/or have other pensions apart from the state pension) The savings credit part of Pension Credit can be claimed by people of 65 and over and, for couples, where only one person has reached 65. It provides extra if you have a 'qualify income' of more than the savings credit threshold or less than certain levels.

These amounts can be higher for certain severely disabled people, carers entitled to Carer's Allowance and homeowners with housing costs such as mortgage interest.

How can we help you?

Help to complete forms.

Office appointments.

Just someone to talk it through with.

What do I need to do to apply for this benefit?

You need to complete a form. Either Contact Information and Advice if you need a bit of help to complete the form or talk it through with us or alternatively you can request and complete the form yourself direct with the Debt of Works and Pensions www.pensions.gov.uk/pensioncredit

If you are in doubt about your possible entitlement it can do no harm to claim anyway.

For further information please see Age Concern Factsheet 48.