(DWP) Real help with your council tax and rent bills - Winterton

The DWP is writing to 200,000 pensioners who get Pension Credit to encourage them to contact their local council to check if they are entitled to help with their Council Tax or housing costs.

This comes after the Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee increased this April by the biggest amount since it was introduced, bringing it to £130 a week for single pensioners or £198.45 for a couple.

Pensions Minister Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP said:

"We want everyone to receive all the help that they are entitled to, especially in these difficult times. Some people on Pension Credit might not be aware that they can also receive help with their rent and Council Tax.

"It can make a real difference. A pensioner with the guarantee element of Pension Credit, with average rent and Council Tax liabilities, could have a weekly income equivalent to around £215 a week."

"I also want more people to claim all the benefits they are entitled to which is why, from last November, we have made it easier to claim State Pension, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit in just one easy free phone call, without the need to sign and return any claim forms."

Pensioners who receive the letters should contact their local council. Any pensioner who wants to apply for Pension Credit itself can call the hotline on 0800 991234

In the 2009 Budget the Chancellor announced that the capital threshold in Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for pensioners will be increased from £6,000 to £10,000 from November 2009. This means that the first £10,000 of capital will be fully disregarded. Half a million of the poorest pensioners stand to benefit from this change with an average weekly gain across all three benefits of £4 a week.

The government is also repeating the increased level of winter fuel payments. For winter 2009/2010, the Winter Fuel Payment for households with someone aged 60-79 will increase from £200 to £250 and from £300 to £400 for households with someone aged 80 or over.