Don’t miss out on Pension Credit in Cornwall and Devon. Check your eligibility today!

ARE you over State Pension age in Cornwall and Devon? Then you could be entitled to Pension Credit. More than 23,000* households across the regions are currently receiving the help and support which Pension Credit provides, but many more could also be entitled.

They are amongst the estimated up to 910,000 low-income households across Great Britain that have not yet come forward to claim the extra money to which they are entitled.

Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £227.10 for single pensioners and up to £346.60 for couples and more in some cases, yet as much as £2.5 billion of Pension Credit is going unclaimed every year.

Pension Credit is not paid automatically, applicants have to submit a claim, but finding out whether or not you could be entitled to the extra financial boost is very easy using the calculator on the Pension Credit website.

Just go online and visit www.gov.uk, search for Pension Credit and you’ll be directed to the correct page.

Once there, the easy-to-use online calculator tool takes only minutes to complete.

It asks straightforward questions about your finances including any pensions, income and benefits you currently receive, as well as any savings.

Then, using this information, it will give you an instant answer to whether or not you could be eligible for Pension Credit.

If you have disabilities or are a carer, then you might still be eligible even if your weekly income is above this level.

Checking your entitlement is quick and easy and it is definitely worth doing as the average Pension Credit award is worth more than £4,000 a year.

Not only that, but being in receipt of Pension Credit, even a small amount, could make you eligible for a whole list of additional help, support and discounts, including Housing Benefit, reduced Council Tax and a free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over.

Once you have found out if you could be eligible for Pension Credit, you can make a claim online, by post, or by calling the Pension Credit Claims Enquiry line on 0800 99 1234.

Meanwhile, if you are not yet of State Pension age but you have friends or family members who are, why not help them to check their entitlement and to make a claim?

It could make a real difference to how much money they receive on a weekly basis.

* Figure correct at time of going to press

Dispelling the myths around Pension Credit

MYTH: “I’m not eligible for Pension Credit because I own my own home.”

FACT: Homeowners can get Pension Credit too. In fact, almost half of the people who get Pension Credit own their own home.

MYTH: “If I was eligible I’d already be getting it.”

FACT: Pension Credit is not paid automatically, you have to make a claim so that the amount you’re entitled to can be accurately assessed.

MYTH: “I’ve got savings, so I won’t get Pension Credit.”

FACT: The savings limit for full Pension Credit is £10,000 and above that it is paid on a sliding scale. For example, each extra £500 counts as an extra £1 a week in income. So if you have savings of £11,000, then your income will be counted as being £2 a week higher.

HOW YOU CAN MAKE A CLAIM

You can claim Pension Credit* either online, over the phone or by post and it simplifies the process if you’ve got everything you need to hand before you start.

These are the documents that you will need . . .

• National Insurance number

• Details of income, savings and investments

• Bank account number and sort code

• Details of rent, mortgage or other housing costs

You’ll need the same information for your partner too if they live at the same property as you.

If you want help with completing your application, then Citizens Advice and Age UK are amongst the voluntary organisations who can support you through the process.

You can make a claim up to four months before the date at which you start receiving your State Pension.

Claims made after applicants have reached State Pension age can be backdated for up to three months.

*Eligibility criteria apply

CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY AT www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator