The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is encouraging older Britons to check their eligibility for Pension Credit, a benefit that could increase their income by up to £8,300 per year. Recent figures indicate that 40% of those entitled are not claiming, meaning hundreds of thousands miss out on financial support.
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to £218.15 for single people or £332.95 for couples. Claimants receive an average of £4,000 annually, but the benefit also unlocks other entitlements, including Winter Fuel Payment (worth £100-£300), free TV licence for over-75s, council tax reductions, Housing Benefit, free NHS dental treatment, and vouchers for glasses or contact lenses.
Joanna Elson, chief executive of Independent Age, said: "Even if you only receive an extra pound through Pension Credit, it is still worth claiming because of the additional entitlements you can access." She noted that proposed changes to make Winter Fuel Payment means-tested make it "more important than ever" to claim.
Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter, added: "The take-up of Pension Credit is a policy issue for this Government... Linking winter fuel payments to a benefit which appears to have just 60% take-up has drawn broad consternation." He urged pensioners to check eligibility, as missing out could be "incredibly costly."
To apply, pensioners can call Independent Age's free helpline on 0800 319 6789 or visit the gov.uk website. Eligibility requires being of state pension age, though claiming the state pension is not necessary. As of February 2024, 1.4 million people received Pension Credit, down 11,000 from the previous year.
