How much better off, on pension credits?

sevenhills

You will not get pension credits if you qualify for the full state pension, but if you state pension is £3 per week less, then you will get pension credits.
Which means that you could also get other freebies, like housing benefit.
How much better off would a person be on pension credits compared to just the full state pension? Maybe this is a myth?

Silvertabby

I believe that someone on just the new State pension will still be eligible for housing benefits, albeit possibly not the full amount of rent due.  But there are a number of other benefits only payable to those on pension credit.  Glasses, dental care and the recent cost of living payments are the ones that first spring to mind, but there are probably more.

sevenhills

Free glasses and dental care could be worth around £500 per year.

p00hsticks

Silvertabby said:

I believe that someone on just the new State pension will still be eligible for housing benefits, albeit possibly not the full amount of rent due.  But there are a number of other benefits only payable to those on pension credit.  Glasses, dental care and the recent cost of living payments are the ones that first spring to mind, but there are probably more.

Although not automatically passported as you would be with Pension Credit, there are a number of schemes and benefits that those on a low income may qualify for, including housing benefit, council tax reduction and (in England and Wales at least) help with healthcare costs including dentistry and eyecare

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/

Marly97

 I applied a few months ago for pension credit & have just been awarded £10 a week  savings credit but as before i was getting full Housing & Council Tax benefits i now have to pay £5.50 a week for those. I  had already applied  for the HC2 Certificate a few years ago for help with health costs. It is  definitely worth it  if on low income. I have not paid  any dentist costs and small amount for glasses since.