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Pension Credit

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Despite a number of initiatives to promote benefit uptake amongst older people it is estimated that the average amount of weekly unclaimed Pension Credit is estimated to lie in the range £1.2m to £2.3m per week in Northern Ireland. You could be missing out on up to £1‚500 a year.

There are two parts of Pension Credit – you may be eligible to receive one or both of them.

Guarantee Credit is designed to make sure that people over the minimum state pension age (rising from 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2020) have a guaranteed level of income. It is worked out by comparing your income with the amount the Government thinks you need to live on. This amount is known as the standard minimum guarantee.

Savings Credit is paid to people aged 65 and over‚ who have made some retirement provision in addition to their basic State Pension.

Can I claim it?

Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit and so your income and savings are taken into account when it is worked out.

Pension Credit includes help towards mortgage payments and service charges for home owners, and extra money for people who receive Carers Allowance or disability benefits.

You can get a claim form by phoning the Pension Service application line on 0808 100 6165 or by visiting the opens link in new window DSD NI website.

Download our opens link in new window Pension Credit leaflet (PDF 55KB)

Free benefit check

If you, or an older person you know needs advice, information or practical support on a wide range of issues including welfare benefits, community care, housing and health, contact the Age NI Advice Service on Freephone 0808 808 7575 to speak to a specialist advisor in confidence. Our advisors can provide a free benefit check to ensure that older people are accessing the benefits they are entitled to. 

Last year our Advice Service dealt with more than 15,000 calls from older people in need.  Call the Age NI Advice Service today to make sure that you are receiving all the help and support available to you.

Your Age NI

Set your location to see what Age NI offers in your local area.

Age NI Advice:
0808 808 7575

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Useful websites

  • Free, simple and anonymous benefit calculator to find out what you may be entitled to.

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