Pension Credit
Pension Credit provides extra financial support if you’re over State Pension age, and on a low income. It can also help with housing costs, such as ground rent or service charges.
You can apply up to four months before reaching State Pension age. If applying after, your claim can be backdated by up to three months if you were eligible during that period.
Find out if you’re eligible for receiving pension credit and/or winter fuel payments by checking your State Pension Age and completing one of our eligibility calculators:
For full details on how to apply for pension credit online, by phone, or by post, visit the Government website here.
Can I get financial support?
You may be entitled to benefits and financial support from the government if you're:
- on a low income
- unemployed or unable to work due to health conditions or disabilities
- a family
- a carer
- bereaved
- over State Pension age
Use these tools to find out if you are eligible to claim for financial support:
Answer a few simple questions and see which benefits you are eligible for and how much better off you might be in work. You can also see how changes in your household budget can affect your income.
Need help?
The benefits system can be complicated to navigate so if you're unsure whether you're entitled to benefits or confused about how to claim, our Customer Income Advice Team are here to help.
We offer specialist advice to help you claim the benefits and tax credits you are entitled to. We can guide you through the benefit claims process, contact government and council departments on your behalf and help you challenge decisions if they are wrong.
If you need support with benefits, please call 0300 5000 926 and ask to speak to a Customer Income Advisor or email supportforyou@sng.org.uk.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit has replaced Housing Benefit, ESA, JSA, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and Income Support for most people and it's received in a single payment each month. Some of your Universal Credit may be to help pay your rent - which is called a 'housing element' - and you'll usually be expected to pay this directly to SNG.