State pensioners told of £400 monthly boost 'even if you can't get Pension Credit'

Need to know State pensioners told of £400 monthly boost 'even if you can't get Pension Credit' All you need to know: A state pensioner who was struggling to survive on just £300 a month was told she could get a £400 monthly boost All you need to know: - State pensioners who can't claim Pension Credit may still be entitled to around £400 monthly help with rent and council tax, BBC Radio 4's Moneybox programme has revealed. - Pensioner Valerie from the Isle of Wight was surviving on just £300 a month after paying £860 rent. She told the programme: "I basically kept using my credit card because that's the only way I could survive." - The desperate situation saw her sleeping on the sofa wrapped in a quilt to avoid heating bills. "When it's really, really, really cold I just used to stay down here at night and just curl up on the sofa," she said. - After contacting charity Independent Age, Valerie discovered she qualified for housing benefit and council tax relief. This boosted her income by £400 monthly, allowing her to eat better and visit family. - Morgan Vine from Independent Age said: "It's really important that everyone gets the money they're entitled to." The charity estimates 1.2 million people are missing out on pension credit alone. - The benefits system's complexity means many pensioners don't realise they can get help even if their income is slightly above Pension Credit thresholds. Council tax reduction can slash bills from full amount to zero. - To qualify for Pension Credit in the UK, you must live in the UK, have reached State Pension age, and have a weekly income below the government's set threshold. This income less than £238 a week as an individual, or £363 a week as a couple. Pension Credit is worth £4,300 a year, on average. - For advice, pensioners can call Independent Age on 0800 319 6789. - READ THE FULL STORY: State Pensioners told of £400 DWP boost 'even if you can't get Pension Credit'