Brits over state pension age have been missing out on hundreds of pounds, according to a report. More low income older people could be in line for the boost, which in turn opens the door to additional financial assistance.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), following a summer 2022 campaign to increase take-up of Pension Credit - a benefit designed to boost the cash directed at low income older people - the Pension Service has received an “unprecedented” number of new claims for the financial top-up. In fact, the latest figures from DWP show that during the week beginning Monday, December 12, 2022, it received more than 7,200 claims for Pension Credit - an increase of 177 percent on the same period in 2021.
Pension Credit opens the door to a number of further benefits - it is sometimes referred to as a 'passport' or 'gateway' benefit because of this. A report published by Nottinghamshire Live sister publication, Daily Record, states that while the means-tested benefit is worth up to £182.60 each week for people of State Pension age living on their own and up to £278.70 if they are part of a couple, further payment could be due if you are a carer or are disabled, and there are, on average, additional benefits worth up to £3,500 a year in the form of additional support and discounts.
