Nearly 36,000 older people in Greater Manchester are missing out on more than £1,700 a year in pension top-up payments, new figures reveal. Around £70 million is unclaimed across the city-region, with pensioners now being urged to check if they are eligible for the payment which 'could make all the difference'.
'Pension credit', a benefit designed to bring the weekly income of pensioners up to a minimum amount, could make those who are eligible £34 a week better off on average, with some able to claim much more. This could be vital for helping older people during the cost of living crisis, a new campaign urges, as well as checking eligibility for attendance allowance and housing benefit.
In addition to extra income, receiving pension credit also unlocks other financial benefits such as a free TV licence for over 75s, council tax support and grants for insulation and other green home improvements. According to the campaign from Greater Manchester Housing Providers, a partnership of 24 social housing providers, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, through its Ageing Hub, up to 7,477 eligible households could be missing out on this payment in Manchester borough, 4,192 in Wigan, and 4,017 in Bolton.
