Pension Credit

What is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit is a new entitlement paid by The Pension Service (part of the Department for Work and Pensions) which will replace Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) for people aged 60 or over from 6 October 2003.

Pension Credit will:

1. Provide a guaranteed level of income for everyone aged 60 or over of £102.10 a week for a single person or £155.80 a week for couples. (These amounts may be higher if you are severely disabled, look after someone who is severely disabled or have certain housing costs.) This is called the guarantee credit.

2. Provide a reward for people aged 65 and over for some of the savings and income they have for their retirement. This is called the savings credit and is worth up to a maximum of £14.79 a week for single people or £19.20 a week for couples.

If you or your partner are aged 65 or over you may be able to get both a guarantee credit and a savings credit. You may get a savings credit even if you do not get a guarantee credit depending on your circumstances.

How to apply for Pension Credit

•If you are already getting Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) you will not need to apply because The Pension Service will automatically work out your entitlement, convert your claim to Pension Credit and write to you to let you know what your new entitlement is.

If you do not get MIG The Pension Service is contacting all people aged 60 and over between April 2003 and June 2004 to give you the facts that will help you decide whether to apply. As long as you apply by 5 th October 2004, special arrangements will be in place to backdate any money due from October 2003 (or the date of entitlement if later) so that you won’t lose out.

How will this affect my Housing and Council Tax Benefit?

•If you receive the guarantee credit (with or without the savings credit), this will entitle you to the maximum eligible amount of Housing and Council Tax Benefit in the same way that MIG does, after any deductions for other adults living in your home or restrictions due to high rents.

If you receive the savings credit only, you will not get maximum help but you may still be able to get some help with your rent and/or council tax if your savings and/or investments are £16,000 or less.

For more information please contact us.

Contact Us

If you require any help or have an enquiry we will be pleased to help.

Contact us in writing, by e-mail or by telephone:

Revenues and Benefits Service
West Wiltshire District Council
Bradley Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 0RD

Telephone: 01225 776655

E-mail: revenuesandbenefits@westwiltshire.gov.uk

We are here to help:

Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm