Local authorities across the UK are contacting thousands of state pensioners who may be eligible for Pension Credit but are not currently claiming it. The means-tested benefit tops up weekly incomes for those who have reached State Pension age and live on a low income, and can raise a single person's weekly income to £238 and to £363.25 for couples. Savings are also taken into account.
Councils Reaching Out to Eligible Pensioners
Local authorities will contact people directly to advise them of their eligibility and offer help with applying. Councils involved include Cambridgeshire County Council, Durham Council and Lancashire County Council.
Since launching a campaign encouraging pensioners to take up benefits, Lancashire said it has helped older people in the county secure over £7.2 million in unclaimed benefits. A spokesman from the council said this includes £2.9 million in Pension Credit and more than £3.1 million in Attendance Allowance, "helping pensioners to access vital financial support and boost their income".
Durham and Cambridgeshire Campaigns
Durham said it is proactively contacting people who may be eligible for Pension Credit but are not claiming it. A spokesman from the council said: "These actions are part of our wider work to help households maximise their income and support residents experiencing financial hardship."
Pensioners with care needs can also receive Attendance Allowance, which is worth up to more than £5,740 a year. This benefit is tax-free and not means-tested, and applies to those with a physical or mental disability severe enough to require care.
Unclaimed Benefits and Government Response
Cambridgeshire County Council told the BBC unclaimed benefits could amount to up to £2 million. Alison Whelan, chair of the communities, social mobility and inclusion committee at the council, told the broadcaster a new targeted campaign would boost financial security and quality of life for hundreds of families across the county.
She said: "I'm delighted to know that in Cambridgeshire we're putting money, up to £2m, back in the pockets of the families that are most vulnerable to the cost-of-living pressures facing us nationally."
A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said supporting pensioners is a top priority for the Government and its commitment to the Triple Lock means millions will see their yearly State Pension rise by £2,100 this parliament. She added: "The Government wants all pensioners to get the support they are rightly entitled to and thanks to our biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign, an additional 33,500 Pension Credit awards were made in 2025 compared with the previous year, worth an average of £87 a week, helping more pensioners access the support they are entitled to."
