Politics · United Kingdom · 12 hrs ago
UK campaign urges pensioners to check eligibility for Pension Credit
The government is urging older people to check if they qualify for Pension Credit, an income top-up for people over State Pension age on low incomes.
The campaign is sending 660,000 leaflets to seven areas: Glasgow, Manchester, East Suffolk, Cornwall, Birmingham, Powys and Stockton-on-Trent.
People outside those areas may still be eligible, and the campaign encourages them to check too.
Independent Age says 1.2 million eligible older people missed out between 2023 and 2024; it estimates that only 62% of eligible households receive the benefit.
Pension Credit can also unlock extra support, including Council Tax Reduction and the Warm Home Discount, and may qualify people aged 75 or over for a free TV Licence.
The weekly amount depends on personal circumstances, and the government says rates will rise from April to £247.30 for a single person and £377.40 for a couple.
Almost one million people are being urged to check whether they qualify for Pension Credit, an income top-up for people over State Pension age on low incomes.
The government is sending 660,000 leaflets to seven areas, but eligible people elsewhere are also being encouraged to apply.
Independent Age says 1.2 million older people missed out on Pension Credit they were entitled to between 2023 and 2024.
Claiming Pension Credit may also provide access to other support, including Council Tax Reduction and the Warm Home Discount.
- Who
- Low-income people over State Pension age, and anyone who may help them check.
- What
- They are being urged to check their eligibility for Pension Credit.
- When
- The alert was discussed on BBC Morning Live on Friday. The sources do not state the date of the broadcast.
- Where
- Seven areas are being targeted with leaflets: Glasgow, Manchester, East Suffolk, Cornwall, Birmingham, Powys and Stockton-on-Trent.
- Why
- Eligible older people may be missing out on an income top-up and access to other support.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Independent Age says 1.2 million older people missed out on Pension Credit they were entitled to.
The government announced that Pension Credit would increase from April.
Louise Minchin discussed the eligibility campaign on BBC Morning Live.
- Leaflets
- 660,000 are being posted through doors
- Target areas
- Glasgow, Manchester, East Suffolk, Cornwall, Birmingham, Powys and Stockton-on-Trent
- Eligible households receiving Pension Credit
- 62%
- People missing out
- 1.2 million older people, according to Independent Age
- Current weekly amount
- £238 for a single person; £363.25 for a joint income
- Increase from April
- £247.30 a week for a single person; £377.40 a week for a couple
1 source
What people are saying
What the government wants to do is get people to check if they can claim for it - or if someone they love can claim for it - and they are targeting seven areas in the UK, posting 660,000 leaflets through doors.
If you’re not living in one of those areas, you are not being targeted by the leaflets. But you could still be eligible.
Too many older households are missing out on this support: the latest available data shows just 62% of households eligible for Pension Credit receive it, with as many as 1.2 million eligible older people missing out on this entitlement.