Pension Credit

Pension Credit guarantees anybody aged 60 or over a minimum income by topping up your weekly income to £132 a week if you are single or £202 a week if you have a partner (2010/11 rates).

These amounts may be more for people who are disabled, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments.

While you must be at least 60 to get Pension Credit, you can still claim if your partner is under 60.  If you and your partner are both over 60 either one of you can apply.  ‘Partner’ is used to refer to your husband, wife or civil partner, or the person you live with as if they were your husband, wife or civil partner.

Between April 2010 and April 2020 the age from which you can claim Pension Credit will rise in line with the increase in the state pension age for women from 60 to 65.

To find out if you can claim Pension Credit, call 0800 99 1234 or textphone 0800 169 0133.  When you phone, you will need the following information:

• Your National Insurance number
• Details of your savings, investments and income
• Details of the account into which you would like any Pension Credit payments to be paid.

You can also apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit at the same time as you apply for Pension Credit.

Click here for more information about Pension Credit.