Claiming Benefits

State Pensions

The State Pensions introduction at www.direct.gov.uk/Pensions provided by DirectGov gives an overview of how to claim your State Pension and exactly what you are entitled to. It explains how your pension rights differ whether you are male or female and how your National Insurance contributions affect your pension. You can claim your State Pension by calling 0800 731 7898 (for other useful State Pension contact numbers at DirectGov, see here: www.direct.gov.uk/Directories)

Pension Credit - Guarantee Credit

Guarantee Credit is an entitlement for people who are aged 60 or above within Great Britain. The Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a minimum level, and you could receive extra money if you have saved towards your retirement. Guarantee Credit guarantees everyone aged 60 and over an income of at least:

£137.35 a week if you are single
£209.70 a week if you have a partner

The age you must be to apply for Guarantee Credit is increasing from 60 to 65 between April 2010 and 2020. To find out the age you must be to apply use the DirectGov State Pension Age Calculator: www.pensions-service.direct.gov.uk. To apply, call 0800 99 1234 (lines are open Monday to Friday 8.00am - 8.00pm) or for more information see the DirectGov website here: www.direct.gov.uk/PensionCredit.

Pension Credit - Savings Credit

If you are aged 65 years, then Savings Credit provides a reward for savings or second pension schemes (such as work pensions.) The maximum Saving Credit is:

£20.52 if you are single

£27.09 if you claim as part of a couple (in which case your partner must be over 60 to make you eligible to claim as part of a couple).

Any entitlement will depend upon the amount of income you have above the basic state retirement pension rate.

To apply, call 0800 99 1234 (lines are open Monday to Friday 8.00am - 8.00pm) or for more information see the website here: www.direct.gov.uk/PensionCredit.

Christmas Bonus

If you are 60 or over, and receiving Retirement Pension or Pension Credit, then you will also be entitled to a Christmas bonus, of approximately £10 per year. The extra payment should be made automatically to those who qualify. In some cases, you can also receive a bonus for your partner.

To find out more about the Christmas bonus, see the Directgov website:
www.direct.gov.uk/moneytaxandbenefits/.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

If you have a low income, you may be able to claim benefits to help pay for your rent and Council Tax bills - and you don't have to be getting any other benefits in order to qualify.

This will be paid by your local council, and the amount you receive depends on a number of things, including your income, your savings and how much rent and Council Tax you are paying at the moment.

To find out more about Housing Benefit or download a claim form, visit the DirectGov website, here: www.direct.gov.uk/moneytaxandbenefits/

Alternatively, you can call your local council. To find the number for your local council, refer to this page: www.direct.gov.uk/localcouncils/

War Widows' or Widowers' Pensions

If you have been widowed as a result of your partner's service in Her Majesty's Armed Forces or a war, you may qualify for a War Widows' or Widowers' Pension under the War Pensions Scheme. You may also be able to receive an extra allowance or help with funeral costs.

To ask for a claim form, contact the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency via their free helpline:
0800 169 2277 (8.15am - 5.15pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.15am - 4.30pm)

Winter Fuel Payment

If you are aged 60 or over, you may be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for additional help towards your heating bills in the winter.

Most people should receive this payment automatically, but to check whether you need to make a claim, there is a helpline on 0845 9 15 15 15 (Mon - Fri, 8.30am to 4.30pm).

To make a claim, you can find the appropriate form here:
www.direct.gov.uk/Pensionsandretirementplanning/

Warm Front Scheme

England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each have their own home insulation and heating improvement scheme. The amounts that are awarded vary as do the ways in which they are administered. Generally if you are aged 60 or over and receive a disability or income-related benefit, you can apply for a Home Energy Efficiency Grant.

In England you can visit www.warmfront.co.uk or call 0800 3162805

In Wales you can visit www.heeswales.co.uk or call 0800 3162815

In Scotland you can visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland or call 0800 512012

In Northern Ireland you can visit www.warm-homes.com or call 0800 988 0559

Community Care Grants from the Social Fund

If you need help to stay at home, return home after receiving care, or to meet certain travel expenses, and if you are receiving (or are likely to receive) Pension Credit, then you can apply for a Community Care Grant. There are different conditions for applying, to check your eligibility and get claim forms visit: