Hundreds of thousands don’t claim extra cash despite being eligible
Around 800,000 people could claim Pension Credit but don’t.
Around 800,000 pensioners are missing out on hundreds of pounds extra every month.
Older people are being alerted to bonus payments through Pension Credit, one of the most underclaimed benefits.
Hundreds of thousands of pensioners don’t get the support despite being eligible.
READ MORE: £200 for Nationwide customers not getting bonus payments
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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.
It’s designed to help those on lower incomes cope with living costs.
Huge numbers still don’t claim it, despite a stepping up of awareness campaigns by the Government.
Experts like Martin Lewis have also been banging the drum for years.
Family and friends are being asked to help older people check if they could get Pension Credit.
It remains underclaimed because people either 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, while it could also be a gateway to other benefits.
Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert (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.”