Thursday 25th April
As part of the Citizens Advice Exeter and The Express and Echo weekly advice column we focus on changes to Pension Credit.
I have read that there are some changes coming to the eligibility to receive Pension Credit for mixed-aged couples. What are the changes and when do they happen?
You can currently get Pension Credit if you have reached the qualifying age. If you were born:
- before 6 December 1953, this is the same as women’s State Pension age
- on or after 6 December 1953, this is your State Pension age
You can find out your Pension Credit age at www.gov.uk/state-pension-age
Pension Credit is an income-related benefit made up of 2 parts – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
- Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income if it’s below £163 (for single people) or £248.80 (for couples).
- Savings Credit is an extra payment for people who saved some money towards their retirement, for example a pension.
Until 14 May 2019, if you have a partner and only one of you has reached the Pension Credit qualifying age, you can still apply. The person who has reached the qualifying age must be the one who applies.
From 15 May 2019, if you have a partner and want to start getting Pension Credit, both you and your partner will normally need to have reached the qualifying age.
If your partner has not reached the qualifying age, you may still be able to start getting Pension Credit from 15 May 2019 or later if, on the day you want to start getting Pension Credit, you and your partner are entitled to Housing Benefit for people who have reached the qualifying age for Pension Credit.
If you’ve both reached Pension Credit qualifying age, either of you can apply.
It is strongly advisable that any, so called, mixed-age couples eligible for Pension Credit where only one partner has reached State Pension age should apply for the benefit now before the new rules come into force on 15 May 2019. They will be able to remain on Pension Credit unless there is a change in circumstances affecting the claim.
For more information and advice go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Look out for our column next week when we focus on energy bills.
The information contained in these articles does not constitute advice. Citizens Advice Exeter and The Express and Echo accept no liability for the information published. Citizens Advice Exeter is unable to respond to individual requests for advice through these columns. Copyright Citizens Advice. For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk