State pensioners who have over £17,264 urged to come forward for £3,900 from DWP

State pensioners who have an income over £17,000 could be owed as much as £3,900 from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ). Pension Credit is worth £3,900 from the DWP and state pensioners could be entitled to it, they're being reminded.

When you apply for Pension Credit your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together. Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single or your joint weekly income to £332.95 - £17264 a year - if you have a partner.

If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs, though. The DWP explains your income includes State Pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment and most social security benefits, for example Carer’s Allowance.

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Not all benefits are counted as income. The DWP says Adult Disability Payment, Attendance Allowance, Christmas Bonus, Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment, Personal Independence Payment and social fund payments like Winter Fuel Allowance are not included.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction are also omitted. If you’re entitled to a personal or workplace pension and you have not claimed it yet, the amount you’d expect to get still counts as income. If you’ve deferred your State Pension, the amount of State Pension you would get is counted as income. You cannot build up extra amounts for deferring your State Pension if you or your partner are getting Pension Credit.

If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments this will not affect your Pension Credit. If you have more than £10,000, every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.