The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the UK Government are urging Welsh pensioners to check their eligibility for a potential increase of £900 a year as part of an initiative to increase the state pension.
Welsh Pensioners Urged to Claim Up to £900 Extra Annually in State Pension Increase
The benefit is expected to reach more than 630,000 pensioners in Wales, with some set to receive an extra £900 a year through Pension Credit.
The Pension Credit is designed to ease the financial strain on people of State Pension age with limited means, providing a supplementary income, guaranteeing a minimum weekly income of £218.15 for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples.
According to information provided by the DWP, around 635,000 Welsh residents are set to benefit from an 8.5% increase in state pensions.
This increase translates into an extra £900 a year for recipients of full pension credit, and £690 a year for those claiming the basic state pension.
The Welsh Government, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), underlined the importance of this development, saying: "Thousands of Welsh pensioners will reap the rewards of an 8.5% increase in state pensions. Check your eligibility and potential entitlement by using the pensions' calculator".
Thousands of pensioners in Wales will benefit from an 8.5% increase to State pensions 📈
Check your eligibility and how much you might get using the pensions calculator https://t.co/kxAQ0LKvMD
@DWPgovuk pic.twitter.com/qmo8ntICoS— UK Government Wales (@UKGovWales) May 13, 2024
Interested parties can access the pensions' calculator to determine their eligibility for the increase via this link.
Who Qualifies for the Pension Credit?
To qualify for the pension credit, you must meet specific criteria, notably:
- Live in England, Scotland or Wales
- Have reached the State Pension age (calculator for which can be found on the UK Government website)
If you apply for pension credit with a partner (husband, wife, civil partner, someone you live with as a couple), you will be eligible if:
- You and your partner have both reached State Pension age
- One of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age
To find out more and to verify eligibility for the pension credit, people are invited to visit the UK government website.
Currently, around 1.4 million pensioners in the UK receive Pension Credit, but a large proportion of them are unaware that they are entitled to this extra financial support or do not claim it.
In addition, Pension Credit recipients can claim other benefits, including help with housing and council tax, as well as extra help with heating bills.
