Some state pensioners could be due nearly £4,000 extra a year – check if you’re eligible

State pensioners claiming certain benefits are being urged to check if they qualify for extra Pension Credit payments, worth thousands of pounds a year.

is a benefit distributed by the Department for Work and Pensions () designed to top up low-income pensioners’ to give them a more reasonable standard of living.

However, extra payments are available to state pensioners receiving or Armed Forces Independence Payment.

The boost is also available to those receiving the middle or highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) .

The additional credit is worth £81.50 per week, which works out to around £326 every four week pay period. Per year, it could equate to a sizeable £3,912.

State pensioners who are carers may also qualify for extra Pension Credit, which is worth £45.60 per week.

People can qualify for this if they get Carer’s Allowance, they get Carer Support Payment, or have claimed Carer’s Allowance but are not being paid because they already get another benefit paying a higher amount.

State pensioners with a partner who has claimed or is receiving Carer’s Allowance can both receive this additional Pension Credit amount.

Hundreds of thousands of Britons are thought to be eligible for Pension Credit but aren’t claiming it. This comes despite the benefit working as a gateway to a number of different means of financial support, such as a free TV licence, council tax reduction, and the .

Who is eligible for Pension Credit?

To claim, a person must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached the age (currently 66 and over). They or their partner must also be receiving housing benefits.

If this applies, the person must then work out their total weekly income. This should include the , other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment, and most social security benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance.

Not all benefits are counted as income. For example, the following are not counted and shouldn’t be included in the calculation:

• Adult Disability Payment
• Christmas Bonus
• Child Benefit
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Social fund payments, such as the Winter Fuel Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Reduction.

People are most likely to be eligible if their total weekly income is roughly under £220.

However, if their income is higher, they might still be eligible so it’s worth checking the Government just in case.

To apply for the benefit, people can reach the helpline by telephone on 0800 99 1234 or by textphone on 0800 169 0133. They can also apply online .