Understanding Pension Credit

[fruitsalad]

Does anyone understand pension credit, and how much an elderly couple, after state pension (only the husband) gets this at the moment, would they be entitled to top it up with pension credit, and if yes how much would they be entitled to as a couple.

[ladybirder]

Here's the Gov calculator FS.
https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator

[10ClarionSt]

I'm no expert but I believe it's calculated on all income that husband and wife have coming in. PIP/DLA is not counted for this. If you only receive state pension, then I would say you are entitled to approx £70 each. Just based on people I know that receive it. If you have a private pension, that will affect your entitlement to Pension Credit.

[fruitsalad]

Thank you both, for your answers, we dont quite understand, as the wife is not of pensionable age, due to the increase in the age, but husband is on state pension, Pension Credit is saying, on the website, as wife is not pensionable age they cannot claim pension credit but to apply for universal credit.

[fiction-factory]

I don't think of someone under state pension age as elderly, but anyway- does the wife work or receive any benefits, Do either of them have any private pension? Is Housing benefit received?

[Mamyalynne]

Looks like you are right FS

//Eligibility
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit.

If you’re in a couple you can start getting Pension Credit if either:

you and your partner have both reached State Pension age
one of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age.//

[10ClarionSt]

You have to reach pension age to claim Pension Credit or, if over 60 and claim sickness benefit, you will be directed towards Pension Credit instead. But that was some time ago for sickness benefit. Don't know if it still applies.