The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is sending leaflets to 660,000 households urging pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit, as thousands could be missing out on the payment.
The leaflets will be posted through letterboxes in Glasgow, Powys, Stockton-on-Tees, inland Cornwall, Birmingham, East Suffolk and Manchester. The advice will guide pensioners on how to apply and how to support a family member with a claim, while dispelling common myths about eligibility, including that homeowners or pensioners with savings cannot claim.
What Pension Credit offers
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to £238 for single people and to £363.25 for couples. Extra amounts may be available for those with other responsibilities and costs. The benefit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: "Far too many pensioners are missing out on support they’re entitled to. Pension Credit is worth more than £4,500 a year on average and can make a real difference to people's finances, while also opening the door to help with bills and other everyday costs. If you think you might be eligible, it’s worth checking."
Who can claim
To qualify, you must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age. The Pension Credit calculator can be used to check eligibility and get an estimate of how much you could get.
