Pension Credit Uptake and Pension Awareness Week.

This week (9th-13th September) is Pension Awareness Week providing free, impartial and straightforward pension information.

The Council and partners will be sharing regular updates, and you can sign up to events throughout the week here: Home – Pension Awareness Day

As part of the drive to raise awareness of pensions and pension entitlement, we are encouraging those who are of state pension age (aged 66 years and older) to check their eligibility for pension credit.

  • Do you know someone of State Pension age (aged 66 years or older) who is on a low income and would welcome extra money and support with heating costs? This could be your customers, service users, a parent, grandparent, friend or neighbour. 
  • Pension Credit is worth on average £3,900 per year and unlocks additional support including Winter Fuel Payments, help with Council Tax, NHS dental care and, for those over 75, a free TV licence. 
  • Thanks to the Pension Credit backdating rules, it is possible to apply for Pension Credit and have the claim backdated by up to 3 months as long as there is entitlement during that time. This means that the latest date to apply and still qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment is 21 December 2024. 

Age UK in Calderdale & Kirklees can provide local support via their Information and Advice team – you can speak to them about your eligibility for Pension Credit.

Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees offer telephone and face to face support including home visits when appropriate. Age UK’s Information and Advice team can be contacted on 01422 252 040.

You can also access Age UKs State Pension and Pension Credit factsheets here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/information-advice/guides-and-factsheets/#benefits

You can also find information on Pension Credit via the Calderdale Council Pension Credit webpage.

Support is also available from the Government Pension Credit website www.gov.uk/pension-credit or via telephone on: 0800 99 1234.