More than 1.4 million households receiving support through Pension Credit are being reminded that their summer travel plans could affect their payments if they are not careful with the rules. With summer right around the corner, many will be planning on going abroad but there’s one thing they may not know. Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit designed to top up the weekly income of people who have reached State Pension age and are on a low income.
Under the rules, claimants can continue to receive Pension Credit for up to four weeks while abroad but only if they were already eligible before leaving and remain eligible during their time away. They are also required to contact the Pension Service helpline to tell them they’re going away before travelling.
You can get Pension Credit for up to four additional weeks if you’re away from Great Britain because of the death of a close relative or if a close relative dies while you’re away and you cannot reasonably return to the UK.
Pension Credit can also be paid for up to 26 weeks if someone has left Great Britain for medical treatement or you’ve left for a period of recovery that’s been approved by a medical professional, or if you’re accompanying a partner or child receiving such treatment.
However, the benefit cannot be claimed while already outside Great Britain, and it stops if someone moves abroad permanently.
The Department for Work and Pensions has also warned that it is essential that pensioners report any change in circumstances whether it may be personal or financial. It added that you could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.
“You need to report changes to you and your partner’s personal and financial circumstances. Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change straight away. Some changes will increase the amount of Pension Credit you could get.”
A change of personal circumstances can include:
- moving to a new address
- starting or stopping living with a partner
- the death of a partner who is named on your claim
- starting or stopping work
- going into hospital or a care home
- people moving in or out of your house
- changing your name
- switching your bank account
- changes to your Post Office card account
- leaving England, Scotland and Wales for any period (for example, going on holiday)
- you start or stop looking after a child or young person under the age of 20
- changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
If you go into a care home for more than 4 weeks, you’ll also need to report if:
You also need to report if your income or expenses change. This can include changes to:
- housing costs, for example ground rent or service charges
- benefits that anyone living in your home gets – including getting a new benefit or a benefit being stopped
- occupational or personal pensions – including if you start to get a new pension or take a lump sum out of your pension pot
- other income, for example, foreign pensions
- savings, investments or property
Call the Pension Credit helpline if you’re not sure if you need to report a change.
