There are now two benefits available for pensioners. The Pension Credit is made up of two parts – a Guarantee Credit if you are 60 or over which tops up your income to a guaranteed level, and a Savings Credit if you are 65 and over and have certain types of income or capital. You can be able to claim either or both parts of the Pension Credit depending on your individual circumstances.

Applications will be treated as made up to 52 weeks earlier, as long as you or your partner are 60 or over, and entitlement, based on your circumstances at the time, can be shown. 

To apply you need to telephone a freephone number 0800 99 1234.

The lines are open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.

You can find out more about the new Pension credit at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/pensioncredit.

Pension Credits and Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit

If you receive Guarantee Credit or the Guarantee Credit plus Savings Credit you will automatically receive maximum Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit.

If you receive Savings Credit only we will take this into account in your claim, but from 6th October 2003 the amount you need to live off has increased to reflect this