A PENSIONER has been left "gobsmacked" after finding out she's entitled to thousands of pounds a year in extra benefits.
Helen Simpson from Musselburgh in Scotland, discovered she could get the "life changing" sum of money after a visit to the dentist which she was struggling to pay for.
The 67-year-old found she couldn't afford the treatment she needed on her income of state pension and personal independence payment (PIP)
But after visiting her local Citizens Advice Bureau, she discovered she was entitled to £83 a week extra – a whopping £4,316 a year.
Pension Credit is a little-known benefit for retirees on low incomes.
She told the Coventry Telegraph: “Well you can imagine, I was gob-smacked. That sort of money is life-changing for me.
Read more in Money
Thousands of people to get £200 direct payment within days – how to get the cash
I’ve lived in my house for 104 years – I was born here and then bought it for £250
“Don’t get me wrong – I won’t be going on a cruise to the Bahamas or buying a Rolls Royce. I’m still living pretty near the breadline. But this extra money has made all the difference."
She was also able to claim backpay which gave her a lump sum of £900 that she should have been getting for the last three months.
Ms Simpson, who had never heard of Pension Credit, said she now keen to get the message out to other people to not make the same mistake as her.
She said it was people's money so they should "get it claimed".
Most read in Money
CUTTING COSTS 
Major rule change set to slash kids' uniform costs for new school year
I've lived in my house for 104 years – I was born here and then bought it for £250
Thousands of people to get £200 direct payment within days – how to get the cash
Millions on Universal Credit missing out on free cash worth £1,200 – are you?
She added if she hadn't had toothache last year she would still be "sitting shivering the cold, worried sick about how I was going to pay these big increases in energy bills".
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit is extra payment available to those over the state pension age and on a low income.
The money can also be used to help with housing costs, such as ground rent costs or service charges.
You can get extra help if you are a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person as well.
You can get your Pension Credit backdated but the maximum period of time you can do it for is three months.
But there are many on low incomes receiving state pension missing out on the credits.
Nearly one million retirees are missing out on £2,000 each every year.
Last month, Martin Lewis urged one million people to check if they were eligible for Pension Credit.
The boss of MoneySavingExpert said it was a "national tragedy" so many pensioners were missing out on the extra help.
The benefit is typically worth around £3,000 a year on average though.
You can read our guide to work out how much you could get depending on your specific situation.
One great advantage to Pension Credit is that those receiving it get a raft of other benefits as well.
The extras you could be entitled to include:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax Reductions
- A free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, glasses and free transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs including cold weather payments.
You can find out more about Pension Credit and apply online.
Alternatively, you can call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or apply by post by printing out and filling in the Pension Credit claim form.
Who is eligible for Pension Credit and how much do you get?
There are two parts to Pension Credit and retirees can be in line for one or both parts.
The first is Guarantee Credit, which tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level.
Then there is Savings Credit, which provides you with extra cash if you've saved money towards retirement.
But you will only be allowed the Guarantee Credit depending on your income, including your partner's, if you live with them.
To get hold of the Savings Credit part, two things have to apply.
You have to have reached the State Pension age before April 6, 2016, and you should've have saved some money for retirement.
Read More on The Sun
The £1 hack to keep your washing machine clean & get amazing smelling clothes
My daughter was hit with 6 points on licence – she’s not old enough to drive
You’ll get up to £14.04 Savings Credit a week if you’re single. If you have a partner, you’ll get up to £15.71 a week.
We previously reported on what extra top ups are available to those on Pension Credit, how to apply, and how income is calculated.
Source: Read Full Article
