DWP urges nearly 1 million state pensioners to claim £4,500 income boost
Hundreds of thousands of State Pensioners are being urged to check if they are missing out on Pension Credit. Worth more than £4,500 a year on average, the benefit provides financial support to pensioners on lower incomes, topping up weekly income to £238 for single people and £363.25 for couples. However, it is not issued automatically, and thousands of eligible pensioners may be missing out.
TL;DR
- Hundreds of thousands of State Pensioners are encouraged to check for Pension Credit eligibility.
- Pension Credit can provide financial support for lower-income pensioners, averaging over £4,500 annually.
- The benefit tops up weekly income to £238 for singles and £363.25 for couples.
- A government campaign will distribute 660,000 leaflets in seven UK areas to increase uptake.
- Leaflets will address eligibility myths, such as those related to homeownership or savings.
- Around 1.4 million pensioner households currently claim Pension Credit.
- Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell emphasized the importance of checking eligibility for the financial support.
- Analysis indicates over a million eligible older people did not receive Pension Credit in 2023/24, missing out on billions collectively.
- Eligibility can extend to those with disabilities, care responsibilities, savings, or housing costs, even with higher incomes.
- Pensioners are advised to seek guidance from charities like Independent Age and Citizens Advice.