Services For

South Ayrshire Council
County Buildings
Wellington Square,
Ayr KA7 1DR
Tel: 01292 612000
Fax: 01292 612143

Customer Services
Tel: 0845 601 2020
Email: Customer Services

Opening Hours
Mon-Thurs: 08.45 - 4.45
Fri: 08.45 - 4.00

Community Services

Pension Credit

Guidance from South Ayrshire Council's Welfare Rights Unit

Pension Credit is an entitlement for people aged 60 or over. This could mean extra money for them every week.

Pension Credit Aims To:

Combat pensioner poverty
Reward people who have modest savings
Significantly increase the number of pensioners who receive additional financial help
Make receipt more acceptable

There are 2 components to pension credit:

Guaranteed Credit = income guarantee for pensioners who are 60 or over
Savings credit = rewards for savings or second pensions for pensioners who are 65 and over

Plus Points

Most pensioners over 65 will only need to report major life events to the Pension Service. Second pensions will be increased by the Pension Service. Decreases in income will be taken into account if reported
Majority will benefit from not having to notify changes in financial circumstances for a period of 5 years
Annual Statement Provided

Affect on Housing & Council Tax Benefit
Pension credit will be a passport to several other benefits including Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

Guaranteed Credit will passport recipient on to full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

Savings Credit only – pensioner will apply for standard Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

To apply for Pension Credit – call the Pension Service on 0845 6060265