Housing Services in Bexley

Housing Benefit

What is Pension Credit ?

The Pension Credit is a type of income for pensioners introduced in October 2003. The basic state pension will still form the main income for pensioners but this can be topped up by the means tested Pension Credit.

A single person who applies for Pension Credit must be aged at least 60 and for couples at least one of the partners must be aged at least 60 or over.

The Pension Credit is administered by the Pension Service.

The rules for working out the Pension Credit are complicated and depend on the level of your income and savings. The Government's aim is that claiming Pension Credit will be easier and it will be more generous than the previous schemes for topping up pensioner's income, such as Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG), which the Pension Credit replaces.

There are two parts to the Pension Credit:

Guarantee Credit - paid to pensioners aged 60 or over.

This guarantees a minimum level of income for pensioners. If a person's income is below the minimum level appropriate for their circumstances, Guarantee Credit will be paid to top them up to that minimum level.

For a couple, only one member has to be aged 60 or over in order for them to claim Guarantee Credit

Savings Credit - paid to pensioners aged 65 or over.

Savings Credit is extra money for pensioners aged 65 or over who have provided for their retirement for example by contributing towards a pension scheme or by having savings. For a couple, only one member has to be aged 65 or over in order for them to claim Savings Credit, however, there is a maximum amount of Savings Credit allowable and also the amount given will decrease depending on the level of pension / savings a person has. Eventually it will decrease to the point where no Savings Credit is payable.

How Long is Pension Credit Paid for?

People under 65 can be allowed Guarantee Credit until their or their partner's 65th birthday. At that point they would be invited to make another claim, as they may become entitled to the Savings Credit.

Single people aged 65 or over or couples where one partner is aged 65 or over, can normally receive the Pension Credit for up to a maximum of five years before having to make another claim. Sometimes the period the Pension Credit is paid for will be less than five years, for example, if income regularly varies, or is likely to change substantially in the future.

Pension Credit will also come to an end and a new claim will be needed if other major life changes occur such as if a person marries or moves into residential care.

When a Pension Credit claim ends, the applicant will be contacted by the Pensions Service and invited to make a fresh claim.

How Do I Claim Pension Credit?

There are three ways to apply for Pension Credit:

You can apply for Pension Credit by freephone by calling the Pension Credit application line 0800 99 1234, textphone 0800 169 0133 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm Saturday).
You can print an application form, and fill it in by hand and post it to your pension centre free of charge. You do not need a stamp. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to print this form.
You can fill out the application form on screen, then print it and post it. Send this form to your pension centre free of charge when you have printed it out and signed it. You do not need a stamp.

An application form for Pension Credit can be found at the Pension Service's website.

Information leaflet - 'Pick it up. It's yours' (PC1L) - is available in Post Offices and at the Erith Reception Centre. This includes a tear-off slip to request an application form for Pension Credit.

The local Pension Service operates a number of information and advice surgeries in the borough. If you would like more information on surgery dates, or to make an appointment call local service Bexley on telephone number: 020 8218 4846.

If you want general or specialist advice with either Pension Credit or Housing and Council Tax Benefit you can contact the Council's welfare rights providers on the following numbers:

Thamesmead Law Centre - 020 8320 5643
Age Concern Bexley - 020 8300 7086
Carers' Support (Bexley) - 020 8302 8011

Pension Credit Calculator

If you are unsure whether you are entitled to Pension Credit you can find out by using an entitlement calculator at the Pension Service website.

Remember: if you get Housing or Council Tax Benefit you must tell the Council if you get Pension Credits. Contact the Benefits Office at:

Capita Business Services
PO Box 713
Erith Town Hall
Walnut Tree Road
Erith
Kent
DA8 1TL

You can also report a change in your circumstances by using the form "What should I do if my circumstances change?" under the "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)" section.

Visiting Service

Bexley now has a dedicated Visiting Officer to assist customers who claim Housing and Council Tax benefit, but who are unable to visit the Council's offices. This officer will be able to advise on Housing and Council Tax benefit issues and can assist with the completion of application forms. The officer will also offer advice with regards to other available benefits.

Cases that will be eligible for receiving a home visit will include:

Customers unable to submit their application form to Council offices if they are:
- Elderly;
- Disabled;
- Housebound;
- Customers threatened with eviction where additional information is required;
- Any other vulnerable customers

Contact details

If you need a visit please contact the Help Line direct on 0845 302 3200. Available Monday to Friday 8:30am until 6pm, Saturdays 8:30am until 1pm.