DWP urges women impacted by State Pension age changes to get help finding work
Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging older people who can work, including women who have been impacted by changes to their State Pension age, to get help from dedicated services offered by Job centres to help them retrain for employment, build confidence or learn new skills.
In a written response to Conservative MP Stuart Anderson, who asked DWP what steps it is taking to 'support women impacted by increases to the State Pension Age' in his constituency of South Shropshire, Minister for Employment Alison McGovern MP, explained how the DWP currently offers 'employment support for eligible customers of all ages'.
The DWP Minister explained: 'The Government seeks to support people who can work, by helping them to retain, return to or progress in employment. That is why the Government is reforming employment support to ensure it helps everyone who needs it.
'DWP currently offers employment support for eligible customers of all ages, through the network of Jobcentres across the UK, and through contracted employment programmes.'
Ms McGovern continued: 'A dedicated offer for older workers seeks to provide tailored support for those affected by low confidence, menopause, health and disability or caring pressures, and out of date skills or qualifications.
'Through Midlife reviews, delivered in Jobcentres across the UK, and online, we support older people to assess their health, finances and skills.'
She added: 'We have also appointed a Menopause Employment Ambassador who will work closely with employers across the country to improve workplace support for women experiencing menopause and wider women's health issues.'
Earlier this year, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell urged all low-income pensioners and 1950s-born women - so-called WASPI women (Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign) - to check if they are eligible for an annual income boost worth £4,300, on average.
His response came after Labour MP Euan Stainbank asked the DWP what assessment it has made of the 'effectiveness of Pension Credit at tackling financial hardship among older people' including 'women born in the 1950s that were impacted by changes to the State Pension age'.
In a written response, Mr Bell explained to the Falkirk MP how Pension Credit was introduced specifically to help address pensioner poverty, providing a 'vital safety net for low-income pensioners by guaranteeing a minimum level of income'.
Over the 2025/26 financial year, the means-tested benefit can provide a weekly income boost to single pensioners with a total weekly income below £227.10 and couples with a combined income of less than £346.00.
Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax.
An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support.
The DWP recently confirmed that nearly 78 per cent of all new claims for Pension Credit are processed - from initial application to award decision letter - within the target timeframe of 50 working days (10 weeks).
This means older people on a low income making a new claim this month, could receive their first payment and any arrears by July.
It's crucial for all older people - single, married or cohabiting - to make sure they are claiming all the additional financial support they are entitled to this year to help boost their income and offset the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Below is everything you need to know about the benefit.
Pension Credit in a nutshell
When you apply for Pension Credit your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together.
Pension Credit tops up:
your weekly income to £227.10 if you're single
your joint weekly income to £346.60 if you have a partner
If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
What counts as income
Your income includes:
State Pension
other pensions
earnings from employment and self-employment
most social security benefits - for example, Carer's Allowance
What does not count as income
Not all benefits are counted as income. For example, the following are not counted:
Adult Disability Payment
Attendance Allowance
DWP Christmas Bonus
Child Benefit
Disability Living Allowance
Pension Age Disability Payment
Personal Independence Payment
social fund payments like Winter Fuel Allowance
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Reduction
Your savings
If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments this will not affect your Pension Credit.
If you have more than £10,000, every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.
How to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert help and advice is also available from:
Independent Age
Income Max
Citizens Advice
Age UK
More details about claiming Pension Credit can be fond on GOV.UK here.
How to make a claim
You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months.
This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.
You will need:
your National Insurance number
information about your income, savings and investments
your bank account details, if you're applying by phone or by post
If you're backdating your claim, you'll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.
Apply online
You can use the online service if:
you have already claimed your State Pension
there are no children or young people included in your claim
To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.
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