PC10 Pension Credit - Communities and Local Government

What happens after you apply?We may ask you to provide extra information so we can assess yourapplication. This could include proof of income, earnings and savings,for example. If you have a mortgage or home loan, we will give you aspecial form for your lender to fill in.Usually everything can be done by telephone or through the post,but in some cases we may make an appointment for an interviewwith you or we may arrange a home visit.If we arrange an interview we will do our best to hold it at a time,date and place that suits you. As we work in partnership with localorganisations such as Age Concern and other pensioner supportgroups, we normally hold interviews on their premises. We conductall interviews in private.If a home visit is more suitable, for example if you have mobilityproblems, we will make every effort to arrange a time and date thatis convenient for you.Who decides if you get Pension Credit?Decisions about Pension Credit are made by decision makers onbehalf of the Secretary of State. These officers decide whether aperson is entitled to Pension Credit according to the rules laid down bythe law and the decisions of the Social Security Commissioners andhigher courts. For details on these publications see pages 98 to 100.Once we have all the information we need on your application, it ispassed on to a decision maker.How will you be told?You will be told of the decision in writing. You will also receive asummary of how your Pension Credit has been worked out. Ourletter also tells you how you can get a more detailed explanationof your assessment, if you need one.The decision maker will give you the reasons for their decision inwriting if you ask them to do so within one month. You can phone orwrite to us to ask for this. The address and telephone number will beon the letter you get about the decision.51