The easiest way to claim Pension Credit is over the phone. You do not have to fill in a form yourself or visit an office. You just ring a free number 0800 99 1234 (or 0808 100 6165 in Northern Ireland) and the form will be filled in for you and posted to you. All you need to do is check it, sign it and post it back. When you call, it will speed things up if you have your National Insurance number and details of your income and savings to hand.

If you need someone to visit you, to help with claiming, then you can request this by calling 0845 60 60 265 (or 0845 601 8821 if you live in Northern Ireland) or by contacting your local benefits office.

If you prefer, you can go to The Pension Service website and fill in the form there and print it out and post it.

When you send back the form make sure you send any other documents that you have been asked for. If you can, it is best to keep a photocopy of everything you send and write down the date you sent them.

If you are asked to send documents it is best to keep a photocopy of everything you send and write down the date you sent them. If you apply before 6 October 2008 Pension Credit is backdated for up to 12 months. But it will be reduced to three months for applications made on or after this date.