Pensioners urged to check if they could claim more money from the Government
Around 800,000 eligible people don’t claim Pension Credit.
Hundreds of thousands of state pensioners could boost their monthly income by claiming Government support.
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to £227 for a single person and £346 if they are in a couple – up to £1,384 month.
This gives extra cash to lower income pensioner households to help with living costs – but around 800,000 don’t claim it despite being eligible.
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It is one of the most underclaimed benefits and despite awareness campaigns by the Government and the likes of Martin Lewis, huge numbers still don’t receive it.
This is likely because they don’t know about it or automatically assume they won’t qualify for help.
Others may not bother because they will only get a small amount – but any extra cash could be worth claiming.
Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert (MSE) said it takes just “minutes” to check if you qualify, with loved ones being asked to help older family and friends.
They said it was a “national tragedy” that huge numbers don’t receive what they are entitled to.
MSE said: “If you’re retired and have income less than £227 a week as an individual, or £346 a week as a couple, you may be due £1,000s a year in Pension Credit.
“Plus, it then entitles you to a whole raft of other benefits.
“Yet, up to £1.5 billion of Pension Credit is unclaimed by up to 800,000 eligible households.”
They added: “It’s a national tragedy that close to one million pensioner households, many of whom have been paying into the system for years, are missing out on an average income boost of around £3,900/year via Pension Credit.
“It takes minutes to check if you qualify, so don’t stall, just call.
“The exact rules of who can get Pension Credit are complex, so we have a simple rule of thumb for those of state pension age (currently 66 or older):
“If you’re single with total weekly income under £230 you’re likely to get it. If you’re a couple, both of pension age, with total weekly income under £350 you’re likely to get it.
“There’s a higher threshold if you claim certain disability benefits or have caring responsibilities.”