The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is launching a targeted campaign in seven areas of the UK to encourage older people to claim Pension Credit, with hundreds of thousands of leaflets set to be delivered to low-income households.
Officials say hundreds of thousands of pensioners are missing out on potentially more than £4,500 a year worth of support. Pension Credit is available to people above state pension age who are on low income. The main part of the benefit, known as Guarantee Credit, tops up weekly income to £238 for single people or £363.25 for couples.
Average payment worth over £4,500 a year
The average payment is over £87 per week, which amounts to more than £4,500 per year. Claiming Pension Credit also provides a passport to additional help with rent, council tax, Cold Weather Payments, heating costs and a free TV licence for people aged 75 and over.
Around 1.4 million households in Britain already receive Pension Credit, yet government figures from earlier this year showed that 900,000 people should be claiming it. The DWP has now announced a major campaign, with 660,000 leaflets to be posted through letterboxes in seven areas with a high proportion of low-income pensioners.
Leaflets to tackle common myths
The leaflets will offer advice on how to apply to Pension Credit or how to help a family member with a claim, while also busting common myths about eligibility, including that homeowners or pensioners with savings cannot claim. They will be delivered in Glasgow, Powys, Stockton-on-Tees, inland Cornwall, Birmingham, East Suffolk and Manchester.
Pensions minister 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. We want to make sure pensioners get the support they’re entitled to and don’t miss out on money that could help them in retirement.”
Charities welcome awareness drive
Morgan Vine, director of policy and influencing at the charity Independent Age, said: “Our analysis found that in 2023/4 more than a million older people on low incomes who are eligible for Pension Credit did not receive it, missing out on a combined £2.5 billion of life-changing support.
“Every day we hear heartbreaking stories of older people enduring financial hardship because they aren’t aware of Pension Credit, or that they qualify for the support. We welcome the DWP’s commitment to raising awareness and understanding of Pension Credit and look forward to continuing to play our part to tackle the issue of low take-up.”
The awareness campaign coincides with the DWP’s Pension Credit Week of Action, aimed at dispelling misconceptions about eligibility and encouraging everyone eligible to apply. Pensioners needing additional guidance are also being urged to seek advice from charities including Independent Age and Citizens Advice.
