If you are over the age of 66 and are eligible for Pension Credit and apply before 16 September you will also receive the Winter Fuel Allowance.

Pension Credit is worth an average of £3,900 per year

If you are eligible, you could also be entitled to a range of additional support like:

• Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
• Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
• A Council Tax discount
• A free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
• Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses, and transport costs for hospital appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit
• Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help you with heating costs during the colder months. The Government announced in July 2024 that, from this year onwards, to be eligible you must have reached State Pension age and also receive a qualifying means-tested benefit - including Pension Credit.

Eligibility

If you are over the age of 66 and are eligible for Pension Credit and apply before 16 September you will also receive the Winter Fuel Allowance.

You can apply for Pension Credit if you’ve reached State Pension age and your weekly income is less than £218.15 (if you’re single) or less than £332.95 jointly (if you have a partner).

You can still claim Pension Credit after 16 September 2024, but even if your claim is successful, you may not receive the additional winter fuel payment then

Click here to find out if you’re eligible for Pension Credit and how much you could get.

Help to claim Pension Credit

You could be entitled to Pension Credit even if you own your home or have savings. Pension Credit is also separate from your State Pension. You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
 
As part of our commitment to support our residents, Northumberland County Council is working with Age UK Northumberland and Citizen’s Advice Northumberland to provide you with further information and offer help to apply for Pension Credit.
 

Age UK Northumberland

Your local Age UK can offer you free, confidential, and impartial advice on benefit and money matters. They can also help you with making these benefit claims.
 
To book an appointment with an advisor, contact: 01670 784800
 

Citizen’s Advice Northumberland

Citizen’s Advice Northumberland are also available to support you to make your application and can be contacted on 0808 278 7944.
 

Or you can apply online

You can use the online service if you have already applied for your State Pension, click here to apply for Pension Credit.
 

Apply by phone

A friend or family member can call on your behalf. Pension Credit claim line:

• Telephone: 0800 99 1234
• Textphone: 0800 169 0133
• Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 99 1234
• British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you are on a computer - Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

 

Apply by post

To apply by post, print out and fill in the Pension Credit claim form.

Visit the Pension Credit gov.co.uk website and print the application in the Apply by Post section or call the claim line to request a form.

Send the completed claim form to the Pension Service or ask someone to do it for you.
The Pension Service
8 Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AN