27 August 2008
Up until the 6th of October 2008 the government is willing to
backdate new Pension Credit applications up to a maximum period of
12 months. This concession was brought in last year in an effort to
increase the Pension Credit uptake.
Applications received after 6th October will only be backdated
for a maximum of 3 months.
The Pension Service will be writing to a quarter of a million
pensioners it believes may be missing out, but to be sure you are
not missing out, you can call 0800 99 1234 to check if you are
eligible.
Pension Credit ensures that no single pensioner aged 60 or over
need live on less than £124.05 a week and that no couple has an
income of less than £189.35 per week. It can pay even more than
these standard amounts if the individual(s) concerned are
registered carers or registered disabled. Another extra addition -
known as Savings Credit - may come into play once the individual(s)
concerned reach age 65.
The DWP yesterday made a detailed Press Release which can be
viewed here:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2008/aug/pens080-260808.asp
