1500 local people of pension age are still missing out on a benefit called Pension Credit, which helps top up low incomes. Here’s an update on one client who recently started claiming Pension Credit.
The client was receiving state pension, had a small NHS pension and was getting housing benefit which covered part of the rent for his private rented flat in central St Albans. He thought that was all that he was entitled to because he assumed that the pension service would let him know if he could get more.
Citizens Advice St Albans assessed his income and found that he should be getting an extra £400 a month in housing benefit. As he has a number of disability issues and needs help with daily living including at night time, we encouraged him to apply for Attendance Allowance. Again Citizens Advice helped him and he now gets an extra £434 a month. Getting Attendance Allowance means in his latest assessment he is now eligible for Pension Credit at around £200 a month.
The client is absolutely delighted and says he can’t believe that there are so many kind people who are willing to help him improve his income and his life. His income is almost double what it had been previously.