Pension Credit: apply before 21st December deadline
As your Member of Parliament for Blackpool South, I’ve been working hard to make sure that all eligible pensioners in our community get the support they deserve. Recently, I’ve hosted weekly Pension Credit surgeries to help local pensioners sign up for benefits they’re entitled to – but I know there are still many who are missing out.
If you’re a single pensioner with a weekly income below £218.15 or a couple with a combined income under £332.95, you could be eligible, even if you own your home or have some savings or a private pension. The deadline to apply to receive this year’s Winter Fuel Payment is 21st December.
Pension Credit is worth, on average, £3,900 a year, and it’s a gateway to other vital benefits. Even if you think you might not qualify, I encourage you to use the Pension Credit calculator on the government website to check if you’re eligible.
The Winter Fuel Payment is up to £300, and applying for Pension Credit might also open the door to extra help, such as Council Tax reductions, Housing Benefit, and more. These payments can make a huge difference to your monthly budget, especially as we head into winter.
It’s been great to see around 200 local pensioners attend my surgeries and get the support they need. But I know there are still many others out there who might be unsure whether they’re entitled, or who are too proud or nervous to seek help.
I know from speaking to local pensioners like Stephen Whittaker, who attended one of my surgeries, how much of a difference this support can make. Stephen wasn’t sure if he was entitled to anything, but after coming along he’s now set to receive an extra £60 a week in Pension Credit, plus his Winter Fuel Payment, a Council Tax reduction, and Housing Benefit.
“If it wasn’t for Chris setting up these surgeries I would probably never had bothered trying to access any financial help,” he said. “I was reluctant because I didn’t know if I was wasting my time. But I’m glad that I went. I took a few documents like bank statements and Chris and his team said right away that they believed I was eligible and I was put at ease then. I was there for about 40 minutes and I had a good chat with Chris who was really easy to talk to, genuinely caring and thoughtful. It’s nice to have such brilliant MPs acting for the good of their constituents.”
If you or someone you know could be eligible, don’t hesitate to apply. Even just a small amount of Pension Credit can help unlock other benefits.
So, please, take a few minutes to visit the Pension Credit calculator, and if you have any questions, get in touch with my office on 01253 532401 or email me at chris.webb.mp@parliament.uk.
