Hundreds of thousands of households across the UK are set to receive important information from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about extra financial support that could be worth more than £4,500 a year.
The government has launched a new campaign to encourage older people on low incomes to check whether they qualify for Pension Credit, a benefit designed to help pensioners who are struggling with everyday living costs.
According to the DWP, around 660,000 people could be eligible for Pension Credit but are not currently claiming it, meaning many are potentially missing out on thousands of pounds in financial support every year.
To raise awareness, the department will distribute 660,000 information leaflets across seven areas of the UK over the coming weeks.
The leaflets will explain who can claim, how to apply and why some pensioners may qualify even if they own their homes or have money in savings.
DWP to Send 660,000 Leaflets Across Seven UK Areas
The new campaign will focus on places where there are large numbers of pensioners living on low incomes.
According to the DWP, the information leaflets will be delivered to households in the following areas:
- Birmingham
- Manchester
- Glasgow
- Powys
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Inland Cornwall
- East Suffolk
The leaflets will encourage pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit and explain how family members can help older relatives make a claim.
However, receiving a leaflet does not automatically mean someone qualifies for the benefit. The campaign is intended to encourage more people to check whether they are entitled to support.
Pensioners living outside these seven areas can also apply for Pension Credit if they meet the eligibility requirements.
What Is Pension Credit and How Much Can You Get?
Pension Credit is a government benefit that provides extra money to eligible people who have reached State Pension age and are living on a low income.
It is separate from the State Pension and is designed to help older people who may not have enough income to cover their everyday expenses.
According to the DWP, Pension Credit is worth more than £4,500 a year on average.
That works out at approximately £375 a month in additional financial support.
However, this is an average figure, not a fixed payment. The amount someone receives depends on their income, personal circumstances and eligibility.
Some people may receive less, while others could qualify for more.
Pension Credit can also provide access to other benefits that help reduce household bills.
Pension Credit Could Help You Pay Other Household Bills
One of the biggest advantages of Pension Credit is that it can unlock additional financial support.
Eligible pensioners may also qualify for help with expenses such as:
- Free TV licence: People aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit may qualify for a free TV licence.
- Council Tax Reduction: Some pensioners receiving Pension Credit could get help with their Council Tax bills, depending on their circumstances and local council rules.
- Housing Benefit: Eligible pensioners who rent their homes may be able to receive help with housing costs.
- NHS health costs: Some Pension Credit recipients may qualify for help with certain NHS expenses, including dental treatment and glasses.
- Other financial support: Depending on their circumstances and the rules of each scheme, pensioners may also qualify for additional help with heating and other living costs.
This means Pension Credit can be worth more than the regular payments alone.
Can You Claim Pension Credit If You Own Your Home?
Many older people wrongly believe they cannot receive Pension Credit because they own their property.
However, the DWP wants to make it clear that owning a home does not automatically stop someone from qualifying.
A pensioner who owns their house could still be eligible if their income and other circumstances meet the requirements.
The same applies to people who have savings.
Having money in a bank account does not automatically mean someone cannot claim Pension Credit.
Savings can affect how much Pension Credit a person receives, but there is no fixed upper savings limit that automatically rules everyone out.
This is one of the reasons the DWP is encouraging more people to check their eligibility rather than assuming they will not qualify.
Government Says Too Many Pensioners Are Missing Out
Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell has urged older people to find out whether they are entitled to the benefit.
He said too many pensioners are missing out on support that could make a meaningful difference to their finances.
According to the minister, Pension Credit is worth more than £4,500 a year on average and can also help people access support with bills and other everyday expenses.
He encouraged anyone who thinks they might qualify to check rather than miss out on money that could help them during retirement.
The government hopes the new campaign will encourage more applications, particularly from pensioners who have never checked whether they are eligible.
More Than One Million Older People Could Be Missing Out
Concerns about unclaimed Pension Credit have also been raised by charities supporting older people.
Independent Age, a charity that helps older people facing financial difficulties, has warned that many pensioners are living on low incomes without receiving the support available to them.
According to the charity’s analysis, more than one million eligible older people did not receive Pension Credit during the 2023/24 financial year.
The charity estimated that these pensioners missed out on a combined £2.5 billion in financial support.
Morgan Vine, director of policy and influencing at Independent Age, said the charity regularly hears from older people who are struggling financially because they do not know Pension Credit exists or believe they cannot claim it.
She welcomed the government’s efforts to improve awareness and help more pensioners access the money they are entitled to.
DWP Says Previous Campaign Led to Thousands of Extra Applications
The latest campaign follows an earlier nationwide effort to encourage pensioners to claim Pension Credit.
According to the DWP, its previous awareness campaign resulted in an additional 33,500 applications last year.
Around 1.4 million pensioner households are already receiving Pension Credit.
However, the department believes many more people could qualify.
The new campaign aims to reach pensioners who may not use the internet regularly or who are unaware of the support available.
By delivering information directly to households, the government hopes to make it easier for older people and their families to understand how Pension Credit works.
How to Check If You Qualify for Pension Credit
Pensioners do not need to wait for a leaflet from the DWP before checking whether they are eligible.
Anyone who has reached State Pension age and is living on a low income can check their circumstances using the government’s official Pension Credit service.
Eligibility depends on several factors, including income, savings and whether someone has a partner.
Some people may also qualify for additional amounts because of a disability, caring responsibilities or certain housing costs.
You can check your eligibility and find out how to apply through the official government website: https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit