Owning a home does not rule out Pension Credit, DWP reminds claimants
Owning your home or having savings does not automatically rule out Pension Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions has reminded people during its 12–16 October Week of Action. The message appears in its October local-authority bulletin, published on 15 October.
Savings are not an automatic bar
The first £10,000 of savings and investments does not affect Pension Credit. Savings above that amount can affect the calculation, but do not automatically make someone ineligible. State and private pensions are taken into account as income rather than automatically excluding a claim.
Check the household rules
People must have reached State Pension age and live in England, Scotland or Wales. Partner circumstances and other income affect entitlement. The official GOV.UK eligibility guide and calculator are the starting point for checking the full rules; the campaign does not introduce a new payment or change the pension age.
A claim is needed
Pension Credit is not paid automatically. Applications can be made online, by phone or by post. The official claim line is 0800 99 1234, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. GOV.UK says a claim can be backdated by up to three months if the person was eligible during that period. Any award depends on the eligibility assessment.
Background and supporting figures
Where this sits
GOV.UK confirms the first£10,000 of savings and investments doesnotaffectPensionCredit; above this is not automaticineligibility.
Claims are not automatic; pensionage, household and income conditions apply. No new pension-age or entitlement change announced.
Officialclaimline0800991234,weekdays8am–6pm, and up to3months backdating if eligibleverifiedagainstcurrentclaimpage.