With Pension Credit, which is worth £4,200 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), you can start your application up to 4 months before you reach State Pension age.

Thousands of over 65s could claim £4,200 just before State Pension age. With Pension Credit, which is worth £4,200 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), you can start your application up to 4 months before you reach State Pension age.

You can apply any time after you reach State Pension age but your application can only be backdated by 3 months. This means you can get up to 3 months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.

You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one: National Insurance number, information about any income, savings and investments you have and information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually 3 months ago or the date you reached State Pension age).

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You’ll also need your bank account details. Depending on how you apply, you may also be asked for your bank or building society name, sort code and account number. You can use the online service if you have already applied for your State Pension.

A friend or family member can call for you if you cannot use the phone. To apply by post, print out and fill in the Pension Credit claim form or call the claim line to request a form. Send the claim form to the Pension Service, or ask someone to do it for you.

Do not write anything except the freepost address on the envelope. You do not need a postcode or a stamp. Contact a voluntary organisation like Citizens Advice or Age UK if you need help with the form.

You can also challenge a decision about your DWP Pension Credit application. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration, the DWP has explained.