Everything about calling Pension Credit from abroad
What Pension Credit is
GOV.UK describes Pension Credit as extra money to help with your living costs if you are over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. It is separate from your State Pension, and GOV.UK says you can get it even if you have other income, savings or own your own home. Getting it can open the door to other help, such as Cold Weather Payments, a Council Tax Reduction and, if you are 75 or over, a free TV licence. GOV.UK's guide covers England, Scotland and Wales, and points to a separate page for Northern Ireland.
Who answers 0800 99 1234
The line belongs to the Pension Service, the part of the Department for Work and Pensions that deals with State Pension and Pension Credit. On its Pension Credit guide, GOV.UK calls 0800 99 1234 the Pension Credit claim line: you can apply by phone, or ask for a paper claim form. The same guide gives it as the number to call if you are not sure whether you are eligible for extra amounts. Changes to an existing claim go to a different Pension Service number, 0800 731 0469, which is covered on Losali's DWP Pension Centre page together with the International Pension Centre.
Pension Credit and time abroad: what GOV.UK says
To qualify, GOV.UK says you must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age. You can keep getting it while away from Great Britain for 4 weeks or less, for example on holiday, as long as you are eligible when you go, remain eligible while you are away, and contact the Pension Service helpline to tell them you are going. You can get it for up to 4 more weeks if you are away because of the death of a close relative, or a close relative dies while you are away and you cannot reasonably return. For medical treatment or approved convalescence outside Great Britain, the limit is up to 26 weeks. GOV.UK also says a claim cannot be made from outside Great Britain, and a permanent move away rules Pension Credit out.
Calling for a parent in Great Britain
GOV.UK says a friend or family member can call for you if you cannot use the phone. GOV.UK lists the information you will need, including National Insurance numbers for the claimant and any partner, details of income, savings and investments today and on the date the claim is backdated to, usually 3 months ago, and bank account details. A claim can start up to 4 months before State Pension age and can be backdated by 3 months. A partner must be included on the application.
Calling 0800 99 1234 from abroad
0800 99 1234 is a UK 0800 number. GOV.UK's call charges page lists 0800 numbers as free, and tells you to check the actual cost with your phone provider, particularly if you are calling from abroad. GOV.UK prints no outside-UK number for the Pension Credit claim line.
What Losali does with this line
Losali is an independent dialler that works in a web browser. Your call travels over the internet and Losali's telecom carrier connects it to 0800 99 1234 in the UK, so the network you are on only carries data. There is no app to install and no UK SIM card to buy. You need a browser, a microphone and a stable connection.
- National Insurance numbers for the claimant and any partner.
- Income, savings and investments now, and on the date the claim is backdated to.
- Bank account details for payment.
- The hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Other ways in
GOV.UK says you can apply online if you have already applied for your State Pension, and a Pension Credit calculator gives an estimate. To apply by post, print and fill in the claim form, or ask for one on the claim line, and send it to Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3, with nothing else on the envelope. Relay UK users dial 18001 then 0800 99 1234, and a British Sign Language video relay service is offered. GOV.UK suggests Citizens Advice or Age UK for help with the form.
What kind of number is this?
Freephone 0800 / 0808. Free to call from inside the UK. Losali shows the price before the call starts.