- New targeted approach being trialled to reach pensioners
missing out on Pension Credit, which is worth on average £115 per
week for a couple.
- Follows new analysis showing large regional disparities, with
uptake lowest in the South West.
- Builds on Government's wider drive to boost Pension Credit
uptake and support pensioners who need it the most.
Analysis published today (30th October) – the first of its kind –
found that between 60% and 70% of potentially eligible pensioners
in the North and London are claiming Pension Credit, while in the
East and South this drops to around the mid-50% mark. Take up
rates are highest in the North East at 71% compared to just 55%
in the South West.
Published by the Department for Work and Pensions, this marks the
first time that analysis has been undertaken on the demographics
of eligible pensioners not applying for Pension Credit, including
at a local level.
The new trial– in partnership with Age UK and Independent Age –
consists of a letter sent to 2,000 pensioners across England
urging them to claim Pension Credit, worth on average of around
£4,300 a year. These pensioners have been identified through the
analysis as being the most likely to be eligible for Pension
Credit but not currently claiming the benefit.
The drive to put more money in the pockets of pensioners who need
it the most is part of the Government's wider plan for national
renewal, ensuring everyone across the country is seen, valued and
treated with respect.
Minister for Pensions said:
We're committed to supporting harder-up pensioners however we
can. Pension Credit is a simple way to give those who need it the
most some extra support with bills or a free TV licence.
I'd urge anyone who thinks they, or anyone they know, might be
able to claim Pension Credit, to take a few minutes out of their
day to check and apply. This country's pensioners deserve every
penny they are entitled to
This comes as the annual national figure showing how many
eligible pensioners were not claiming Pension Credit was
published. This shows an increase on the previous year's figure
of up to 760,000 households.
The figure shows the number of eligible pensioners not claiming
between 2023 and 2024, before the Department launched its biggest
ever Pension Credit awareness campaign. This campaign has seen an
extra 56,700 households awarded Pension Credit in the last year
alone with awards of Pension Credit now worth on average £83 a
week.
Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing at
Independent Age, said:
We're pleased to support this proactive UK Government trial to
increase the reach of Pension Credit. If you're in financial
hardship, where you live shouldn't be a factor in whether or not
you receive the money you're entitled to, but at the moment it
is.
With the continued high cost of living, the older people that we
speak to cannot afford to miss out on any of the money they are
eligible for.
Initiatives like this trial are a positive step towards
increasing the number of people receiving the financial support
they are entitled to, and we urge the UK Government to continue
building on this strategic approach.
The new trial marks a shift in how the Department identifies and
contacts potentially eligible pensioners who are not claiming
Pension Credit. Previously, letters targeted pensioners receiving
Housing Benefit. If successful, further trials could take
place.
As well as providing vital support through an average of £83 a
week, Pension Credit unlocks a variety of additional support for
pensioners including help with housing costs, council tax,
heating bills and free TV licences for those aged over 75.
This comes during the Department's Pension Credit Week of Action
aimed at raising awareness of the benefits of Pension Credit and
encouraging everyone eligible to apply. It builds on the
Government's commitment to supporting pensioners, including
through plans to simplify the application process for Housing
Benefit and Pension Credit as well as via the triple lock which
is set to see the yearly state pension rise by up to £1,900 over
this parliament.
Additional Information:
Regional breakdown of Pension Credit uptake within the analysis:
- England – 63%
- Wales – 64%
- Scotland – 67%
- North East – 71%
- North West – 67%
- Yorkshire and The Humber – 64%
- East Midlands – 61%
- West Midlands – 65%
- East of England – 58%
- London – 69%
- South East – 56%
- South West – 55%
The exact average amounts for Pension Credit:
- £114.99 for a couple
- £78.23 for an individual pensioner
- £82.71 on average
Our Pension Credit campaign has seen over 56,000 households
awarded Pension Credit in one year (29 July 2024 – 27 July 2025)
when compared to the previous year.
