STATE PENSION (pension credit)

mrlongsockss

Do you get State Pension with a small amount of Pension Credit to top it up, and do you ever wonder what’s it for.
Well here’s my theory the DWP need an excuse to visit your home, to see if it’s you and no one else is collecting your Pension.
I noticed this small amount and wondered what it was for so I phoned them up, they said well your entitled to it, I said Ok.
But now I get letters from the DWP asking to see me, they say they need to interview me to see I qualify for this small bit of Pension Credit.
Excuse me I thought but I never asked for it you just gave it too me, now you want me to prove who I am show all my bank details and ID’s for small amount of money I never asked for in the first place.
I believe this is a big con by these people just to check you out.
They invite themselves to your house with this rouse, telling you with the letter that you must prove who you are and supply all bank details and house ownership details or rent book.
I phoned them up and told them to keep it; I’m certainly not going through all that for an extra pint a week.
They keep on paying it, and the man keeps coming and I keep on not answering the door.
Now a new one a letter from the Local Job Centre saying there has risen a question about your Benefit what Benefit, and a person will be coming to see you and please supply the following information.
They have already told me that as from 9th April 2012 my Pension Credit will cease.
But they still want to come and check me out.
I’m getting my legally earned State Pension and no can take that away from me, I don’t have to prove to no one who I am, I have done all that before they paid it too me one year ago.
This is hassle one does not need from them; if you are getting it tell them to buzz off.

McKneff

I thought you had to actually apply for pension credit.

Are yu sure its pension credit and not sP2

Do you get any other help benefit wise, council tax, rent help,

Often, if you get pension credit it opens the door to lots of other benefits (which you are legally entitled to) so much more than a pint.

And come on now, they want to verify who you are, in the long run, they are just checking that you are entitled to them. So many people claim benefits that arent, so in effect they are looking after the money (tax etc) that you paid in your lifetime if yo see what I mean.
Annie

Newly_retired

The Guarantee part of Pension Credit is a top up to guarantee that every pensioner receives a certain basic minimum amount per week to live on.
Better than the Workhouse!
You could say it is an excuse not to increase the amount of State Pension for everyone, just those who actually need it. Nowadays it is awarded at the same time as the state pension, although there are some people who would be entitled to it but have not been told (eg a man who has reached state pension age for a woman but not for a man).
It has been a life saver for some people so I would not knock it. You have earned it over the years through your NI contributions and taxes.
It is a passporting benefit to other things - Housing Benefit if you rent, Council Tax paid in full, free prescriptions, free sight test and vouchers towards glasses, dental treatment, transport costs for hospital visits, acess to free Legal Aid advice etc. etc.
If you get an occupational pension you are unlikely to qualify, however.
As for "snooping", if you have nothing to hide, why worry? It is better than letting those who are not entitled getting money they don't need from the state.

xylophone

OP, remember that the State Pension is classed as a "benefit"!
With regard to the pension credit, surely a person has to apply for it?http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/PensionCredit/DG_10018692