Pensioners and their loved ones are being urged to take up
Pension Credit, as a new campaign is launched to help those of
pension age with the cost of living.
It comes as new figures show many pensioners could be missing out
on Pension Credit, a vital financial boost that can be worth over
£3,300 a year.
Starting this month, advertising for Pension Credit will feature
in internet search results and on social media, before being
expanded to national and regional newspapers.
The Department for Work and Pensions will also be distributing
leaflets within local communities, while businesses can also get
involved in the campaign by spreading the word to their customers
using the department’s digital toolkit and encouraging them to
call the claim line between the hours of 8am-6pm.
All State Pension recipients will continue to receive reminders
about Pension Credit in the post as part of the department’s
annual uprating communications.
Currently, over 1.4 million pensioners in Britain receive Pension
Credit. However, many are still not claiming this extra financial
help and it is estimated up to £1.7bn is being left unclaimed.
This is why the DWP is renewing calls for all pensioners to check
if they could be eligible.
Minister for Pensions said:
We recognise the challenges some pensioners will be facing with
the cost of living which is why promoting Pension Credit is a
priority.
That’s why we’re calling on everyone with retired family, friends
and loved ones to check in with them and see if they can get this
extra financial support.
The campaign also includes tackling some of the myths that may
stop people applying, such as how having savings, a pension or
owning a home are not necessarily barriers to receiving Pension
Credit.
It also reminds people that even a small award can provide access
to a wide range of other benefits – such as help with housing
costs, council tax or heating bills. For those over 75, this
includes continued entitlement to a free TV licence.
Pension Credit can be claimed by phone and online, ensuring that
older people can apply safely and easily, wherever they are. The
online Pension Credit
calculator is also on hand to help pensioners check if
they’re likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they
may receive.
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said:
Pension Credit can make a big difference if you’ve reached State
Pension Age and haven’t got much money coming in. With prices
rising rapidly at the moment it’s more important than ever to
claim what’s rightfully yours. We urge any older person who
thinks they may be eligible to put in a claim and Age UK is here
to provide advice and practical support to help you with the
process.
Pension Credit is something of a well kept secret - many people
have simply not heard of it. That’s a real shame because at Age
UK we see how much it helps those who actually receive it. We
hope this campaign is the first step in a sustained government
effort to bring Pension Credit to the older public’s attention,
and we warmly support it for this reason. Pension Credit is
really important for older people and deserves to be much better
known.
Morgan Vine, Head of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age,
said:
We welcome this campaign to increase Pension Credit uptake. We
know this support can be life-changing but for too long, too many
people over 65 who are eligible have been missing out.
Older people have told us that before receiving Pension Credit
they would skip meals, struggle with a cold home and feel
isolated, as they would turn down opportunities to see people
because they couldn’t even afford a cup of tea in a café.
With the cost-of-living crisis making life even more harsh for
people over 65, it has never been more urgent to take action on
Pension Credit. Awareness campaigns are one part of the strategic
approach that is needed at this critical time, so it is very
positive to see the government working with local partners to
deliver awareness raising materials.
We look forward to seeing the impact of this campaign, so that
further, fast action can be taken to target those who are missing
out.
Pension Credit is designed to help with daily living costs for
people over State Pension age and on a low income, though you do
not need to be in receipt of State Pension to receive it.
It tops up a person’s income to a minimum of £177.10 per week for
single pensioners or £270.30 for couples. These amounts will rise
to £182.60 per week for single pensioners and to £278.70 for
couples from 11th April.
Further information
- Knowing that one of the best ways to reach eligible customers
is through trusted stakeholders working in the community, the
government has also developed the Pension Credit
toolkit as an online tool for agencies and welfare
rights organisations to use in order to encourage take-up.
- For more information, to use the free online calculator, to
check eligibility or to claim, visit Pension Credit or call
0800 99 1234.
