SUPPORT and ADVICE from GRANTON INFORMATION CENTRE
THE Scottish Government has confirmed it will no longer provide Winter Fuel Payments to all pensioners in Scotland. Replicating the recent decision announced by the UK Government, Winter Fuel Payments will now be means-tested, which means only individuals in receipt of Pension Credit and certain other benefits will receive it.
Because Pension Credit is a ‘gateway benefit’, which opens up access to other support including Winter Fuel Payments, it is now more crucial than ever that individuals claim Pension Credit so that they don’t miss out on additional money they are entitled to.
If you’ve reached State Pension age, you can claim Pension Credit if your weekly income is less than:
£218.15 if you’re single
£332.95 if you’re a couple.
Even if your weekly income is higher than these thresholds, you could still claim Guarantee Credit if you meet one of the following criteria:
*you’re a carer
*you have a severe disability
*you have certain housing costs, such as service charges
*you’re responsible for a child or young person who usually lives with you.
If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments this will not affect your Pension Credit. If you have more than £10,000, every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.
MANY, MANY, ELIGIBLE PENSIONERS ARE MISSING OUT ON PENSION CREDIT!
To claim Pension Credit, you can either:
*claim online on GOV.UK (if you already claim State Pension and there aren’t any children or young people included in your claim)
*call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 and they can fill in the application for you over the phone (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm).
To discuss your benefit entitlements and to find out what you can claim, get in touch with us at Granton Information Centre.
Our Welfare Rights Advisers are here to help!
Call 0131 551 2459 or 0131 552 0458 or email info@gic.org.uk