The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) hopes ‘Pension Credit Week of Action’, an awareness campaign which runs until Friday, June 16, will encourage more older people to claim the passport benefit worth more than £3,500 a year.
The means-tested benefit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also provide access to a range of other benefits such as help with housing costs, Council Tax, heating bills and for those aged 75 or over, a free TV licence.
DWP said although take up of Pension Credit is at the highest level since 2010, there are still "too many people missing out" with an estimated 850,000 pensioners potentially eligible for the income boost, but not claiming. The quickest way to check if you, or someone you know should claim, is to use the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
