The reason I say check if you've income under £200 is first as you may get more if you've got extra 'responsibilities', such as a severe disability, you're a carer or look after an under 20-year-old, and second because of…

Savings credit: If you hit state pension age before April 2016 (so you're roughly aged 71+), you may be due a top-up if you have savings, even if you're not due guarantee credit – the aim was to stop those who'd put something aside for their future being disadvantaged.

I'm going to explain how it works, but it is really complex, so if that scares you don't read the next paragraph, just call and check if you're due.

Here goes... if some of your current income is from savings (it's counted as £1 a week income per £500 of savings above £10,000) and that takes you above £158 a week in income (£252 for a couple), then you get 60p extra paid per £1 of income up to a maximum of £14.50 a week. Simple, eh!

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