Pension Credit – Bolton Council

Support with Pension Credit

View or download our Pension Credit leaflet and Drop-in times

Every year millions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed in Bolton. We are writing to residents over the next week or so encouraging them to check whether they may be eligible for Pension Credit and if so, we are providing helpful information, advice and guidance to enable a claim to be made.

***Please note that following recent Government changes, receiving Pension Credit is now the means test to qualify for the annual Winter Fuel Payment for 2024 and beyond. It is important to make a claim before 21st December 2024***

Any amount of Pension Credit can also result in you receiving other benefits you are entitled to, such as:

Winter Fuel Payment
Warm Homes Discount
Free TV licence if you are over 75
More Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction

***Therefore, it's important to act now to ensure you don’t miss out!***

Pension Credit can be backdated for up to three months as long as you have satisfied the entitlement conditions during that period. You should request backdating on the claim form as it is not automatic. You can claim by phone or online. You can get family or a trusted friend to help.

It is easy to check if you could be eligible for Pension Credit. You can do this by visiting www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator or contact a benefit advice service such as Citizen's Advice Bury & Bolton or Age UK Bolton.

Pension Credit is not awarded automatically. If the calculator suggests you may be eligible, you need to claim. This can be online, by telephone or by post. Go to www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim to apply online. You can phone to claim Pension Credit on 0800 99 1234, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. A friend or family member can call for you if you are unable to use the phone.

If you can’t claim by phone or online, or you need extra support or confidential advice about pension aged benefits including Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance there is help out there from the organisations listed below. Even if you are not eligible for Pension Credit, there may be other entitlements you are eligible for, such as Attendance Allowance (for people who have a health condition) or Carer’s Allowance (for carers).

You can also attend one of our local drop ins.

Local Services available to support you include:

Age UK Bolton via Telephone: 01204 382411, Monday-Friday between 9am and 5pm or Email: enquiries@ageukbolton.org.uk

Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton via freephone 0808 278 7804 (Monday-Friday between 10am and 4pm), or call, text or WhatsApp the Out of Hours line via 0161 850 5053 (7 days per week, 6pm – 9pm). Alternatively, visit their website: https://www.cabb.org.uk/make-a-referral/

Bolton Councils Visiting Team: Telephone 01204 331901, Monday-Friday between 9am and 5pm. Email: HousingBenefitVisit@bolton.gov.uk.

We hope you find this correspondence helpful at this time. I appreciate it can be a worry when an unexpected letter comes through the post. I want to reassure you that this letter has been sent from Bolton Council, in conjunction with our trusted partners Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton and Age UK Bolton. Please visit the council website www.bolton.gov.uk for further details.

Over the phone / website support:

Independent Age

To check if you, a friend or a loved one are getting everything you’re entitled to, contact Independent Age via their freephone helpline 0800 319 6789 or their website at www.independentage.org/get-advice/money.

The Independent Age charity has this short video to help you claim.

Age UK

Check if you are eligible for additional support by visiting the below links or calling 0800 678 1602.

Other help and support

If you are experiencing financial hardship during these particularly difficult times, please turn to our cost of living - help and advice.