Hundreds of thousands of UK pensioners are being urged to check if they qualify for Pension Credit, which is worth more than £4,500 a year on average. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched another campaign to encourage take-up of the benefit, which provides extra money to people on a low income in retirement.
Pension Credit is already claimed by around 1.4 million pensioner households, but many more could be entitled to the support without realising it. As part of the latest push, 660,000 leaflets will be sent to homes in areas with a high proportion of low-income pensioners, including Glasgow, Powys, Stockton-on-Tees, inland Cornwall, Birmingham, East Suffolk and Manchester.
How to apply for Pension Credit
The leaflets will explain how people can apply for Pension Credit themselves or help a family member make a claim. Pensioners are even being encouraged to pin the leaflet to their fridge so the information is available when needed. Owning a home or having some savings does not necessarily mean someone cannot qualify.
Receiving Pension Credit can also open the door to help with other everyday costs. The latest drive follows a major awareness campaign that ran through 2025, after which the DWP saw an additional 33,500 Pension Credit awards.
Minister urges pensioners to check eligibility
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.”
He added: “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.”
More than a million could be missing out
The number of people missing out could be far greater than the 660,000 households being targeted with leaflets. Independent Age says its analysis found that more than one million eligible older people on low incomes did not receive Pension Credit in 2023/24.
Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, said: “Our analysis found that in 2023/24 more than a million older people on low incomes who are eligible for Pension Credit did not receive it, missing out on a combined £2.5billion of life-changing support.”
She added: “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 campaign is being launched during the DWP’s Pension Credit Week of Action and is designed to tackle misconceptions that may stop people applying. Adverts will also appear across TV, radio, print and social media, alongside a partnership with ITV’s The Chase. Pensioners who think they could qualify are encouraged to check their eligibility and make a claim, and those needing more help can seek guidance from organisations including Independent Age and Citizens Advice.
