State pensioners being handed three DWP 'support' payments worth £20,300

State pensioners have been urged to consider claiming Pension Credit - amid the prospect of a huge £3,900 boost amid the Cost of Living crisis. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Pension Credit can help pensioners claim THOUSANDS on top of their state pensions.

It can also unlock the £300 Winter Fuel Allowance amid a growing backlash to the Labour Party government's decision to axe the payments for many OAPs. Minister for Pensions Emma Reynolds stated: "As we head into the winter months, I want to ensure the most vulnerable in our society are getting the support they need, and that's why we have a range of measures targeted at helping low-income households."

Pension Credit is designed to help those over the State Pension age on a low income by boosting their annual income by around £3,900 on average. It's estimated that 880,000 people are eligible for Pension Credit but aren't applying.

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But it isn't the only payment available to state pensioners - with ways to boost state pensions also revealed by experts as we head towards Christmas.

National Insurance credits - £11,000

This creditcould potentially boost your state pension by as much as £11,000. Grandparents may be eligible for what's known as Specified Adult Childcare (SACC). But data shows a mere 150,000 applications have been lodged for SACCs over the preceding eight years, even though there are over 12 million State Pension claimants in the country.

The official government advice is that you might be able to claim these credits if you fulfill two key criteria: you are an eligible family member who provided care for a child aged under 12 and their parent or main carer does not need the credits themselves.

If you're a family member who has provided care for a child under 12, and their parent or main carer doesn't need the credits themselves, you may be eligible to apply for certain credits. However, Specified Adult Childcare (SACC) applications can only be made after October 31 of the tax year you want to claim for, as checks will need to be made if the parent or main carer of the child has a qualifying year for National Insurance reasons.

Pension Credit - £3,900

Pension Credit comes in two forms: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit, you must be of State Pension age (currently 66). Your weekly income should be less than the minimum amount the UK Government deems necessary for living. This minimum is set at £218.15 for single individuals and £332.95 for couples.

These amounts may be higher if you're disabled, a carer, or have certain housing costs.

Boost qualifying years - £5,400

Pensioners could boost their national insurance qualifying years by paying voluntary class 3 contributions. Typically, these additional payments can be made within a six-year timeframe of the tax year. For instance, if you wanted to fill a gap in 2022/23, you have until the end of the tax year in 2029.

To qualify for the state pension, you need at least 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record. Adding to this can help increase your payment amount to the full rate, which currently stands at £221.20 a week. Martin Lewis strongly urges those concerned to act now.

In a post on X, Lewis strongly warned: “This is your 6mth warning! For each £825 or less you pay to buy National Insurance years, many gain £5,400+, but much closes in April. It's the MOST LUCRATIVE thing many under age 73 can do, some gain £10,000s. The process ain't quick, so check it now…”