Some Pension Credit claimants can receive an extra £86.05 a week if they meet the Department for Work and Pensions’ conditions for a severe disability addition. Pension Credit is designed to boost the income of people who have reached State Pension age and meet the relevant income requirements.
Pension Credit Can Provide an Extra £86.05 a Week
The DWP says claimants with a severe disability may qualify for an additional £86.05 a week on top of their Pension Credit. To qualify for this extra amount, claimants must receive one of a specified group of disability benefits.
These can include Attendance Allowance, the middle or highest care rate of Disability Living Allowance, the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment and Armed Forces Independence Payment.
The list also covers the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment and the middle or highest care rate of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.
Other Benefits Can Add to Pension Credit
The severe disability addition is not the only extra amount available. Someone receiving Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment can qualify for an additional £48.15 a week under the rules cited by the DWP.
The same £48.15 addition can apply to someone who has claimed Carer’s Allowance but is not receiving a payment because another benefit they receive is worth more. If both members of a couple have claimed or receive Carer’s Allowance, both can qualify for the additional amount, subject to the relevant conditions.
Extra Money Is Available for Children
Pension Credit can also contain an additional amount for each child or young person a claimant is responsible for who lives with them. The current amount cited by the DWP is £69.98 a week for each child or young person.
For a first child born before 6 April 2017, the amount rises to £81.07 a week. The exact Pension Credit award depends on the claimant’s circumstances and household income.
How Much Pension Credit Can You Receive?
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a standard minimum level for eligible claimants. Under the figures cited, this is up to £238 a week for a single person and £363.25 a week for a couple.
These figures relate to the standard guarantee element. Additional amounts can apply depending on circumstances, including disability, caring responsibilities and children.
Pension Credit can therefore be worth thousands of pounds over a year for eligible pensioners.
Who Can Qualify for Pension Credit?
The main eligibility conditions relate to age and income. You generally need to have reached State Pension age and have a sufficiently low income to qualify. Other circumstances, such as disability, caring responsibilities, savings and housing arrangements, can affect the calculation.
People who are unsure whether they qualify can use the DWP Pension Credit calculator to obtain an estimate.
Claimants Should Check Whether They Qualify for Extra Amounts
Receiving Pension Credit does not necessarily mean someone is already receiving every additional amount available. A claimant who receives a qualifying disability benefit, for example, may need to check whether the severe disability addition applies to their circumstances.
The DWP advises people who are uncertain about their entitlement to contact the Pension Service helpline. Benefits, pensions and allowances are generally paid into an account, such as a bank account.
For older households facing rising living costs, checking the full Pension Credit entitlement can reveal whether additional support is available.
