Time To Check Our Financial Status

Seemingly there are tens of thousands of pensioners in the UK who are entitled to pension credits and don't claim. Time to do a financial check.

[@debby7124]

I hope lots of folks hear this message, and apply if they haven’t already.

[@kate-yk8gv]

It's 800.00 that could claim, however many thousands cannot because they are a couple of quid above the line. People need to protest this.

[@janetmackinnon3411]

Very good advice! Pension credits are a right, not charity.

[@carolineudaw541]

I only get state pension. I have tried getting pension credit and was turned down. I moved into sheltered housing which is costing me approximately £90 more to live here per month. But still turned down. I was told I am over the limit by about a couple of pounds. So will get nothing. This is the same for lots of people. You pay your stamps and everything for 40 yrs. Those that didn’t work and not pay stamps get it though. So it doesn’t make sense. We pensions are left to suffer.

[@Glory3823]

oh 😢please Try again now they have a big campaign i amJust 66 will get my first Pension on the 24th my State pension will be Just over £75 a week paid monthly ❤Just waiting to here from pension credit will hear next week ❤i am on rent and rates as i was on ESA since 2018 when i became a Widow 😢my love died 30:12:2017 age 67 so the state pension was inherited

[@carolineudaw541]

I have just tried to get Pension credit I am not entitled to it. I am £3 over the limit.

[@Glory3823]

@@carolineudaw541 oh so dam Cruel evil lot oh Sweetheart 😩big hugs i hope you have Jesus because soon the Wicket will pay and Gods Children will be safe in Heaven💖💖

[@julianrobertson3303]

Well said as always , I hope that all is well & good . All of my tin food has now expired their sell by date , I spent around £100.00 or so on emergency food supply , it's all in storage units .

[@dscrerar1111]

I hope any pensioners hear about this. My council has a money advice and rights team. They are very helpful with getting you on the benefits you are entitled to. Also some councils can help with financial difficulties. Its not charity.

[@lynnpurfield9430]

I wonder what those new forms will reveal to the government?

[@zezet0ni594]

The document our old aged pensioners are expected to complete to claim Pension Credit contains two hundred and forty three (Yes! That's right!) 243 questions that must be answered. Beaurocratic Madness!!!!

[@sandraparry8653]

Yes almost a million £800,000. I think most of the people who are in the Old Pension, maybe eligible. As the full New state pension I think is above the limit. And you must have less than £16,000 savings. I get pension credit because have a full Old Style state pension. So the Older people, And it has made a difference to me. I get about £200, a month extra, it's really good . Cath thanks for bringing this to air. I also get a bit knocked off my Council tax. And I get cheap ,Internet, its called ' social tariff ' I have it with Vodafone, £12 a month. Brilliant. Thanks again, love to you both 😊

[@janeknight3597]

I don’t think the powers that be really know because the benefit is not only based on your real income but it also looks at savings. My mother would not claim because she did not want to tell the government about her savings. Let us be honest HMRC has all the information inc interest that is actually paid to you. There should be no need for yet another form. I suspect someone in the Treasury wanted to get rid of a benefit that was specifically not taxable but paid to all pensioners before the state pension rose to a level where it became taxable - 2026-2027 at current predictions.

[@joannacurran8475]

You cannot connect the savings with the benefits not claimed. The idea is to get any benefits and subsidies into the right hands. My sister has a pension of £4000 - £5000 and she would much rather her £300 go to those in real need. Yes, she contributes much to various charities.

[@Lee_Proffit]

If they know that all of these pensioners are not claiming the pension benefit, then why are the DWP checking up on who is and who isn't eligible, and more importantly contacting them to let them know They are bloody quick to tell you when you are not eligible for anything

[@lynnpurfield9430]

@@Lee_Proffit bingo!!!!!

[@chrysalis4126]

Housing benefit has no impact on pension credit. It's basically available to anyone whose pension is less than £218 a week.

[@sueharrison7940]

And approx £333 if you are a couple, not £218 each! Not a lot is it.

[@Glory3823]

but it does on Winter fuel i think if u get Housing ben u can claim winterfuel because it is a bennifit and means tested just check

[@patmartin9727]

Pension credit limit is £218 and a few pence a week.The full new pension is £221 and a few pence.

[@happydodson6920]

You give very good, practical advice. Check the details, be sure you are getting what you should get and not wasting your money on things you no longer care to receive.

[@joyceCarnivore4490]

GOOD EVENING, FRIDAY AGAIN,, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

[@ThePennySaver]

Dont forget they've already said even if you claim pension credit now you wont get the winter fuel allowance and it wont be back dated😡🤬 plus is anyone claims to care for you then you cant get it.

[@anniegreen4205]

My understanding is that if you are on the lower rate pension you can get pension credits. If you're on the higher rate pension (the £884 you mention Karen) you can not get pension credit. Pension credit, again from my understanding, brings the lower rate pension up to match the higher rate. My brother gets pension credit because he is on the lower rate, I don't get pension credit because I'm on the higher rate. But please check, you might be entitled to other benefits.

[@twinkletoes8099]

Also those outide UK will still get this winter payment as it was included in the Brexit deal and can't be changed so they will still get it.

[@rosemariesmith349]

If you get less than the state pension you can go on the gov for pension credit you fill out on their, it's if you have not worked 35 years

[@user-do3qz7kt2m]

Great advice I’m on a pension in australia ❤❤❤

[@lizauger9828]

Yes it's humid. I think all pensioners over 75 should get winter fuel allowance as after that age health will really suffer in the cold, breathing issues and falls will increase

[@judithmorganjudyteen]

800, 000 who are not claiming.

[@LorrieAnne]

Yes ! If you are eligible for any program to help your income or comfort in colder weather., you should get it.

[@philodowd8080]

Great Message Karren

[@stephenparkes9543]

It truly has become a clown world. Take care all and all the best.

[@gillianhope7742]

I think it is about 800,000 who could claim , it is a 240 question form apparently and if you have a penny too much that’s it you can’t claim, the level is too low imo as it penalises anyone who has worked and earned the full state pension and pension credit opens a while host of other benefits

[@frugalitystartsathome4889]

If folk would rather be cold than make a claim for benefits to which they may be wholly entitled what can you do? These are supposed to be the adults of our nation, the ones who’ve brought up the following generations, for goodness’ sake…

[@Lee_Proffit]

Which only applies if people know that their is a benefit that they can apply for. DWP is very good at making a simple thing, extreme hard to first find and then to work out if you are eligible, add in that ALL of this information is online and not all pensioner are online savvy

[@frugalitystartsathome4889]

@@Lee_Proffit but you cannot seriously be suggesting that there is a single pensioner anywhere in this country who’s not now heard of pension credit? And whilst I absolutely agree that the DWP make everything as difficult as they possibly can - overpaid consultants have to seem to be employed on SOMETHING - there is simply no reason for anyone to struggle on their own in completing forms. Age Concern will actually do it on your behalf. We have all been brought up with the Welfare State and ignorance of how it operates is not an excuse - find out! I’m not yet (quite) a pensioner but all of my siblings are and I’ve seen and heard the apathy from people who don’t feel that they should have to make any effort whatsoever “at my age” but simply offer excuses as to why they “can’t” do these things. It’s difficult to have sympathy in such instances.

[@Lee_Proffit]

@@frugalitystartsathome4889 If every pensioner is aware of the pension credit, why is so much of it unclaimed ? Many people that I know just assume that their state or private pension (or combination) is all that they will get as they were never on any benefits and worked up to retirement age, so why should they think that they might be entitled to pension credit now ? Not everyone is aware of how the benefit system works, if you are not involved with it, why would you ? DWP should be contacting all pensioners and asking the questions, but they don't as it saves "them" money. My local council has done away with all face to face interactions, it is all done online and this again can pose problems to some people

[@Hermit1903]

You also cannot claim pension credit if your husband/wife or live in partner is younger than pension age.

[@marylynch2510]

❤

[@lynnpurfield9430]

Well spotted Karen.so.why are they really targeting pensioners ?

[@cheds1]

They aren’t your friends. Satans minions.

[@Lee_Proffit]

Easy targets and most of them were brought up to respect the people in charge. Then add it the fact that most of this is now done online, a place where most pensioners find very confusing

[@jemmajames6719]

They reckon they are not Labour voters and are one foot in the grave. No point helping them.

[@TheLittleFifeCottageGarden]

1) how are people supposed to survive on the full state pension of £800ish quid when bills are so high? Without the winter fuel allowance. 2) they are sending £12 billion abroad in climate aid cash, so basically our pensioners will freeze and we will be paying to air condition foreign pensioners. Couldn’t make it up 😂😂😂

[@coderider3022]

I’m ok with freezing pensioners but definitely not worth the political upset for 0.01% of the uk budget.

[@carolinstevenson2254]

Just over and computer says no..housing benefit yes pension credit no..lol what's a doctors surgery 🫣