Only Fools And Horses star urges older people to check for unclaimed benefits worth up to £3,900

Only Fools And Horses star Sue Holderness is encouraging over-65s who are ‘struggling’ amid the cost of living to find out if they are entitled to crucial financial support. The 74-year-old British actress has teamed up with Independent Age for a new video inspired by real-life calls to the national charity’s helpline.

Holderness, who is best known for her role as Marlene in the hit sitcom, appears as Cathy, who cares for her husband but is struggling financially after he suffered a stroke. She explains that life is now ‘one long dark tunnel’, but feels brighter after speaking to someone from the Kim charity and finding out she is eligible for carer’s allowance, attendance allowance and pension credit, worth over £3,900.

Holderness said: “The calls to the Independent Age helpline are incredibly moving. So many older people are struggling with the cost of living right now, and many are telling counselors it’s the first time they’ve ever sought help.”

She continued: “There can be so much pride in managing as we get older, but no one should feel embarrassed or ashamed about demanding the money they are entitled to. My character’s story is based on real phone calls and is a typical example of the help available.

“But also of the lack of awareness of the support that people can claim. I call on anyone over the age of 65 who is currently struggling with financial worries to pick up the phone to Independent Age.

“The support they unlock can be truly life-changing.”

Independent Age helps improve the lives of older people in financial difficulty by carrying out benefit checks, offering free and impartial advice and providing grants to community organisations.

Joanna Elson, CEO of Independent Age, said: “We are so grateful to Sue for helping us raise awareness of the support available for people in later life. There is a dangerous misconception that all older people enjoy their retirement without financial worries, but this couldn’t be further from the truth for 2.1 million people living in poverty, and for the millions more who are on the brink of the abyss.”

She explains: “We hear from older people who have cut back to eating just one meal a day, or are stuck in damp, cold and dark homes because they fear out-of-control energy bills.

“Our helpline provides a lifeline for older people in financial trouble – a line that takes them out of what is often a very dark place. Through this video we want to show the reality of poverty in later life and that there is support available that can make a big difference.”

You can watch the video here on the official Independent Age YouTube channel.

Who can claim pension credit?

There are two types of pension credits: the Guarantee Credit and the Savings Credit.

To qualify Guaranteed pension credit , you must be of state pension age (66). Your weekly income must be less than the minimum amount the UK government says you need to live on.

For 2024/25 this is €218.15 for a single person and €332.95 for a couple. This amount may be higher if you are disabled, are an informal caregiver or have certain housing costs.

You can only get a Savings Credit if:

• you reached state pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have a partner who reached state pension age before this date and already received it
• you have an income of at least €189.80 per week for a single person and €301.22 per week for a couple

How much could you get?

Guarantee credit supplements your weekly income with:

• £218.15 for one person
• £332.95 for a couple (married, civil partnership or cohabiting)

You may be able to get more if you are disabled or an informal caregiver, or if you have certain housing costs.

With the Savings Credit you can:

• £17.01 per week for a single person
• £19.04 per week for a couple (married, civil partnership or cohabiting).

Exactly how much you get depends on your income and savings. Your income includes assumed income from savings and capital above € 10,000.

Fastest way to check whether you qualify for pension credit

Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they could receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.

Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – the lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Independent Age offers free and confidential advice, their helpline number is 0800 319 6789, you can also email them at [email protected]. Full contact details can be found on their website here.

Below is an overview of the benefit, including who should check your eligibility, how to do it and how much you can get.

Other help if you receive pension credit

If you qualify for Pension Credit, you can also get other help, such as:

• Rent allowance if you rent the home in which you live
• Assistance with mortgage interest if you own the home in which you live
• Municipal tax discount
• Free TV license if you are 75 years or older
• Help with NHS dental treatments, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
• Help with your heating costs through the Warm House Discount Scheme
• Discount on Royal Mail’s forwarding service if you move

Mixed older couples and pension credit

In May 2019, the law was changed so that a ‘mixed age couple’ – a couple where one partner is of state pension age and the other is below it – is considered a ‘working age couple’ when checking right to income-related benefits.

This means that they can only claim a pension credit or a housing allowance at retirement age if they have both reached state pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed-age couple could qualify for the more generous state pension benefits if only one of them reached state pension age.

How to use the Pension Credit Calculator

To use the calculator on GOV.UK you will need details of:

You will need the same information for your possible partner.

You will be asked a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.

This includes:

• Your date of birth
• Your residential status
• Where in Britain you live
• Whether you are registered blind
• What benefits you currently receive
• How much you will receive each week for any benefits you receive
• Whether someone receives an informal care allowance to care for you
• How much you receive each week in pensions: state pension, private and work pensions
• Any labor income
• Any savings, investments or bonds you have

After you answer these questions, a summary screen will appear with your answers so you can go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit Calculator then shows how much benefit you can receive each week.

All you need to do then is follow the link to the sign-up page to find out exactly what you get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.

There is also an option to print the answers you give using the calculator, so you can complete the application form faster without having to sort out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to ensure you receive all the financial support you are entitled to.

Who cannot use the Pension Credit Calculator?

You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:

• postpones your state pension

• owns more than one property

• are self-employed

• has housing costs (such as service costs or Crown Tenant rent) that are not mortgage repayments or rent covered by Rent Allowance

How to make a claim

You can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age. You can apply at any time after reaching state pension age, but your application can only be submitted retroactively for three months.

This means you can get up to three months of pension credit on your first payment if you were eligible during that period.

You will need:

• your citizen service number

• information about your income, savings and investments

• your bank account details, if you apply by telephone or by post

If you are making your claim retroactively, you will need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to commence.

Register online

You can use the online service if:

To check what you’re entitled to, call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.

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