Pension credit information needed

[neilyoungismyhero]

Hi.
My sister and her husband have been awarded pension credit but given no information about what this actually covers. I've looked on the Gov.uk site but neither of us can see the answer to their particular queries. The award was made in her husband's name and is now being paid into their joint account. Obviously she benefits from joint stuff like tv licence but is she entitled to other benefits such as dental care which I believe he now gets foc? She is also a pensioner over 70. I've advised her to ring them but she says the lines are always busy. I wondered if anyone in their position could advise please.

Does this help?

https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/what-youll-get

Thank you- she has gone through this but it doesn't advise whether she is entitled to the benefits of dental and eye check ups.

• You are only entitled to free dental treatment if you get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit

not if you just get pension credit on its own. Be careful as many people get caught out on this and end up with fines.

Thank you - will ask her if she has it..although if she's had no paperwork not sure if she would know, to be fair she doesn't seem to know a lot but not sure it's their fault if they've not been sent any documentation.

There are two parts of Pension Credit: Pension Credit Guarantee Credit and Pension Credit Savings Credit.

The only type of pension credit which doesn't qualify for free dental/NHS treatment is Pension Credit Savings Credit on its own. Getting Pension Credit Guarantee Credit on its own, or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Pension Credit Savings Credit will entitle them to free NHS and dental treatment.

Pension Credit Savings Credit was an additional payment for those who had a small pension or other savings, but it is no longer available for new applicants and stopped being available since 2016.

So if your sister has only just been awarded Pension Credit, then it will be Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, not Pension Credit Savings Credit.

The NHS entitlements that your sister's husband gets for free also apply to your sister, because they are both on the Pension Credit as a joint claim.

They will probably be entitled to most/all of their council tax paid too - they will need to apply separately to their council.

Age UK are the best place to go for advice about age-related benefits.

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-is-entitled-to-free-nhs-dental-treatment-in-england/

www.ageuk.org.uk/siteassets/documents/factsheets/fs48_pension_credit_fcs.PDF