Pension Credit Deadline - 9/12/22

Low-income pensioners should act quickly to claim extra cost of living payment

Alan Brown MP backs Age Scotland’s Pension Credit 18 December deadline warning as low-income pensioners urged to apply for extra £324 cost of living payment 

Mr Brown and Age Scotland are urging low-income pensioners in Kilmarnock and Loudoun to act quickly and put in a claim for Pension Credit before the Sunday 18 December 2022 deadline, to avoid losing out on an extra £324 cost of living payment.

Age Scotland estimates that around 1,967 older people could miss out in Kilmarnock and Loudoun if they do not claim for pension credit by the deadline this week.

The national charity for older people, Age Scotland, can help identify if someone is eligible for Pension Credit and offer advice on applying by calling their helpline on 0800 12 44 222, where advisers can carry out a full benefits check, or check eligibility online at www.age.scot/benefitscalculator.

Pension Credit provides pensioners on a low income with extra money and other helpful support. It can top up their weekly income to £182.60 if they are single, and £278.70 if they are making a joint claim with a partner, as well as cutting council tax bills, helping with energy costs, and a free TV licence if they are over the age of 75.

Anyone who makes a successful Pension Credit application to the Department for Work and Pensions before 18 December will also be entitled to a £324 lump sum financial support payment. This is because a claim for Pension Credit can be backdated for up to three months, provided the entitlement conditions are met throughout that time.

Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:

“With growing numbers of older people in Scotland struggling to cope with the rising cost of living, there has never been a more important time to make sure you are receiving everything you are entitled to.

“Every year in Scotland hundreds of millions of pounds in social security payments go unclaimed by older people due to a lack of awareness, difficultly in accessing them, stigma surrounding benefits or just not knowing where to turn for help.

“I’d encourage my constituents to call Age Scotland’s helpline to find out if they are entitled to it or make an application directly to the UK Government as soon as you can.”

Michelle Supple, Age Scotland's interim chief executive, said:

“Pension Credit is not only an essential benefit, but it opens the door to much more additional support including help with energy bills in the winter, a free TV licence for over-75s, help with rent and council tax reduction, free dental care and reduced water bills.

“We are urging all pensioners on a low income to act quickly and start the application process or call our helpline 0800 12 44 222 for advice. We don’t want to see anyone miss out on extra cost of living support, especially with Christmas around the corner.”