What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home. Pension Credit is worth, on average, £3,900 a year. It is estimated that up to 880,000 households across the UK are missing out on Pension Credit.
If you get Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:
- Winter Heating Payment
- Help with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount
Scheme and Cold Weather Payment - Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- A Council Tax discount
- A free TV Licence if you’re aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital
appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit - A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house
Did you know that Carers of East Lothian has a benefit enquiry phoneline where you are guaranteed to get a call back and immediate advice within 48 working hours? If you would like to speak to our Welfare Rights Coordinator who can offer a benefits check to help you work out if you are eligible to apply for pension credit, call us now on 01316650135 and ask for a referral to the benefits enquiries line where you will get a call back within 48 working hours (weekends not included).
How you get Winter Heating Payment
You will get Winter Heating Payment automatically if you get one of the benefits that make you eligible (click the link for a full list of the benefits that make you eligible for Winter Heating Payment).
You must apply for pension credit before 21st December to get this year’s Winter Heating Payment, which is the last date for making a successful backdated claim and still receiving a Winter Heating Payment.
Please click the links below where you will find more information about Pension Credit and Winter Heating Payment.
Could you or someone you know be missing out on Pension Credit?
You could get the Winter Heating Payment if you are in receipt of Pension Credit
How do I apply for Pension Credit?
Child Winter Heating Payment
Children and young people in Scotland can get the assistance if they’re under 19 years old and get one of the following ‘qualifying benefits’:
- the highest rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment
- the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance for children
- the enhanced daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
- the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment
They must be getting this on at least one day in the third full week of September.
In 2024 this will be Monday 16 September to Sunday 22 September.
Payment is usually automatic. For more information, please follow this link
