The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that applications for a benefit specifically designed to help people of State Pension age on a low income are up 73 per cent compared with this time last year. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP also confirmed that letters will be sent out to 11,000 older people to tell them about the April uprating and to “stress the point about Pension Credit”.
The DWP boss told MPs in the House of Commons that during one week in December alone, his Department received 7,200 claims for Pension Credit, an increase of 177 per cent on the previous year. He said there would be no “let-up” in promoting the benefit and encouraging more older people to check if they are eligible for an annual income boost of £3,500, on average.
Mr Stride said: “Two-thirds of those we believe are eligible for Pension Credit receive it, but that means that one-third do not. We cannot identify them precisely in advance, which is why communication is so important. We will write to 11,000 pensioners soon to tell them about the uprating and to stress the point about pension credit.”
