More than 1,000 Ukrainian pensioners who recently arrived in
Britain after fleeing the Russian invasion are already receiving
financial support through Pension Credit, new figures show.
The figures follow emergency regulations laid by the Department
for Work & Pensions (DWP) in March 2022 which enabled
Ukrainians to immediately access benefits and other support upon
their arrival.
Minister for Pensions said:
Our priority is ensuring those arriving from Ukraine can find
safety here and get the support they need.
Pension Credit provides a vital financial boost which is why
we’re helping new arrivals apply, with translation services
available for phone applications.
I urge those hosting elderly Ukrainians – and all those across
the country with older relatives and friends – to check with them
and see if they could be eligible for this extra financial
assistance.
As well as help with daily living costs of up to £182.60 per week
for single people and £278.70 for couples, Pension Credit also
opens up access to other support, such as help with rent and
council tax, heating bills, free NHS dental care and free TV
licenses for the over-75s.
To be eligible for Pension Credit, people need to be over State
Pension age and on a low income. More than 1.4 million pensioners
across Great Britain currently receive Pension Credit and take-up
is at its highest level since 2010.
The government recently launched a campaign to boost take-up of
Pension Credit among UK pensioners. The campaign aims to increase
take-up both by encouraging older people to claim and encouraging
others to speak to their retired friends and loved ones about the
support.
The easiest way for Ukrainian nationals to apply for Pension
Credit is by phone and the department has made translation
services available to help new arrivals with their applications.
The Freephone number – 0800 99 1234 – is available Monday to
Friday, 8am to 6pm.
DWP staff are also delivering additional face-to-face assistance
to those who need it, including advice on benefit eligibility and
support with online applications.
Immediate access to Pension Credit and other means-tested
benefits is just one of the ways the UK is continuing to stand
shoulder-to-shoulder with the Ukrainian people and those forced
to flee the country following Russia’s barbaric invasion.
Further information
- Without the emergency legislation, people arriving from
Ukraine would be subject to the Habitual Residence Test, meaning
they would have to wait up to three months before being able to
receive income-related benefits, including Universal Credit and
Pension Credit.
- Additional information on the Government’s Pension Credit
campaign can be found here.
