Pension Credit
If you have a low weekly income, Pension Credit can be paid as a "top-up" to other weekly money, like pensions.
If you have recently become a carer you may now be entitled to receive Pension Credit. Get a benefits check see the Advice Agency search.
Pension Credit can include extra money, for example:
- Carer's Increase
- for home owners - some help towards mortgage interest
Carer's Increase
To be entitled to Carer's Increase:
- You must care for someone getting Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher care rate of Disability Living Allowance, AND
- You must put in a claim for Carer's Allowance and have made a claim for Pension Credit
Savings under £10,000 won't affect your claim at all. There is no longer a level of savings which stop you from applying.
Claim both Pension Credit and Carer's Allowance as early as possible. If you don't get Carer's Allowance because you get Retirement Pension or Incapacity Benefit, you can still have what is called an 'underlying entitlement' to Carer's Allowance making you entitled to the Carer's Increase.
Access to other benefits
Getting Pension Credit also entitles you to:
- apply for a Community Care Grant from the Social Fund
- a voucher for glasses, free school meals, help with funeral costs and other benefits
Getting the 'guarantee' part of Pension Credit entitles you to:
How to claim - ask for Form PC1 from the Pension Service.
Find out more about Pension Credit on AdviceKit Manchester.
Find out more about Other benefit issues for carers
Back to Carers and benefits summary page
Need more help? Live in Manchester? Send us an email
Information Provider:
Manchester Advice
Date Reviewed:
23 March 2010
This information is for guidance only and is not an authoritative statement on the law. Please read our Terms and Conditions.
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