Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis is calling on pensioners to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit ahead of the launch of the DWP’s new “Invitation to Claim” trial this summer.
Pension Credit is worth over £3,500 a year on average and is designed to help with daily living costs for people on a low income and over state pension age (currently 66), though people do not need to be in receipt of the state pension to receive it.
The benefit is there to “top up” a person’s income to a minimum of £201.05 per week for single pensioners and to £306.85 for couples – or more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.
At present, nearly 1.4 million pensioners in Britain receive Pension Credit and take-up is at the highest level since 2010, according to the DWP. However, many are still not claiming this extra financial help despite being eligible.
To encourage further take-up, the DWP’s forthcoming “Invitation to Claim” initiative will see potentially eligible households who receive Housing Benefits across 10 local authorities in Britain sent letters encouraging them to apply for Pension Credit.
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The letters will land in the hands of potentially eligible residents in Eastbourne, Teignbridge, Pendle, Charnwood, Vale of White Horse, Redcar and Cleveland, Craven, Harrow, Powys, and West Lothian, ensuring a “representative sample” of urban, rural, regional and national areas.
Mr Lewis described it as “a tragedy” that “up to a million” low-income pensioners who’ve paid into the system for years are missing out on what can be a “crucial” financial top-up.
He said: “And even those only due thruppence from it should still claim as Pension Credit is the key gateway benefit that opens the door to many other entitlements – including the remaining £600 cost of living support, council tax reductions, free TV licences (if age over 75) dental and optical support and more.”
Mr Lewis urged: “Any single pensioner earning under roughly £220 a week, or pension couple earning under £320 should check online or call the Pension Credit helpline just in case you may be due.”
The DWP has pledged to continue to work with stakeholders and others to raise awareness of Pension Credit.
Its most recent push for pensioners to apply for the benefit before May 19, 2023 to receive the first £301 cost of living payment resulted in a 171 percent spike in claims over the two-week period before the deadline. This translated to over 20,000 claims.
Pension Credit can be claimed by post, phone and online, ensuring that older people can apply safely and easily, wherever they are.
The online Pension Credit calculator is also a handy tool to help pensioners check if they’re likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive.
Minister for Pensions Laura Trott MBE commented: “We recognise the challenges some pensioners will be facing with the cost of living which is why, alongside driving down inflation, promoting Pension Credit is a priority.
“During the Week of Action (Monday, June 12), we will be out and about spreading the word – and you can help too. Speak to your older loved ones about Pension Credit and get them to check if they could be eligible for this vital extra support, worth an average of £3,500 per year.”
