The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that across the UK, there are an estimated 770,000 people of State Pension age who qualify for a ‘gateway’ benefit which can provide up to £278 extra each week plus access to other discounts on housing, Council Tax and TV licences.
DWP minister, Guy Opperman MP, shared the statistics in a written response to a Pension Credit query from Conservative MP, Sir John Hayes, who asked how many pensioners in the UK qualify for Pension Credit, but are not claiming the benefit.
Mr Opperman’s response highlighted a ‘Pension Credit Awareness Day’ on Wednesday, June 15 aimed at increasing coverage of the benefit to encourage more older people to make a claim.
