This week is Pension Credit Week of Action, which is all about raising awareness of Pension Credit and encouraging people to check their eligibility and make a claim. Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also provide access to a range of other benefits such as help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and for those aged 75 or over, a free TV licence. One third (34 per cent) of pensioners eligible to claim Pension Credit are still missing out – a huge concern, especially as the cost of living continues to rise.
The Government’s own figures show that 770,000 eligible pensioner households (single people or couples) are not receiving their Pension Credit payments, worth around £1.5 billion every year – an average of £1,900 a year, per household.
Despite common misconceptions, people can be entitled even if they own their own homes, have savings or receive a small occupational pension. Almost half of the people who currently receive Pension Credit own their own homes.
It is easy to claim. People just need to make one simple, free phone call (0800 99 1234), claim online or fill out a paper claim form, details of which can all be found on https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit
Pension Credit toolkit
