Elderly couples could be left much worse off after a radical shake-up to Pension Credits.

From May 15, you will only be eligible to receive credits if both of you are past pensionable age.

Right now, a couple could be eligible if they were of mixed age, with at least one person past pensionable age.

This could mean an extra £248.80 for a couple, and this would increase if they were looking after a child or if someone in the relationship was disabled.

Yearly this would amount to around £12,000.

This money is vital for people who help their partners as carers and is often claimed by pensioners who rely solely on State Pensions.

Ironically called the ‘Toy Boy Tax’, the changes have met criticism, some critics say this could lead to higher levels of isolation and depression with even a predicted spike in divorce as couplings would be penalised.

The average age difference between couples in their 40s is about seven years, so people hitting retirement age, if the trend persists, could be going seven years before they become eligible.

Otherwise, people have suggested it would be better for single pensioners as they would be instantly eligible for Pension Credits which amounts to an extra £163 a week.

Mike Hanna Director of Operations at Herts Age UK said: “This would certainly make people feel more vulnerable and distressed.

“These are people who aren’t the most well off and they are being penalised for being in a couple.

“At the end of the day this will increase demand for more care and services, no one knows why these changes had to happen it’s probably just out of ignorance.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “This change was voted on by Parliament in 2012 and means, for new claims, only pensioners can claim Pension Credit.

“If a person in the household is of working age, we believe it’s fair that they should be in the same circumstances as other people of the same age, regardless of the age of their partner.”

Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said, ‘This change is a real backward step by the government and is punishing local pensioners, particularly the newly retired.

“In Watford, we’re doing all we can to support elderly people in our town, including providing new facilities and activities for older people at our leisure facilities and by setting up a new Pensioners Forum. However, steps like this from the government only act to punish older people.”

Ian Stotesbury, Parliamentary Candidate for Watford said: “This is an unfair and arbitrary move by the government who to continue to make cuts hurting vulnerable people.

“It doesn’t seem right that just because a person has a made a decision to live with a person below retirement age that they do not have the same rights as any other pensioner. It’s time for the government to think again about this.”