Nearly one million pensioners are failing to claim a benefit worth an average of £4,300 a year, according to DWP data
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released figures revealing that nearly one million pensioners are losing out on £80 per week. This represents an average of £4,300 yearly, which is allocated to those who qualify for Pension Credit.
Approximately 910,000 households could claim the benefit, meaning roughly £2.5 billion remains unclaimed. Pension Credit provides a top-up for single people on the New State Pension whose total weekly income is below £227.10, or couples with combined weekly income under £346.60, reports Birmingham Live.
Elderly people may incorrectly assume they’re not entitled if they:
- have savings
- own their own home
- may be working
- may be getting a small occupational pension
- may have been turned down in the past
Additional barriers might be that people:
- do not want to be seen as needing to claim
- feel that they’re able to manage
- do not think it’s worth applying – as the amount they get will be very small
- do not recognise themselves as a Pension Credit claimant
- have not got around to it
- think it’s a complex and confusing subject
- already get other help and do not want to mess up the benefits they are getting
Older people, or their friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and receive an estimate of potential benefits by utilising the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK. Pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to submit a claim by calling 0800 99 1234.
