Pensioners urged not to miss out on financial help

CALCULATOR SHOWS IF PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE

PENSIONERS are being urged to check if they are eligible for extra benefits as figures show many could be missing out on vital financial support.

More than 106,000 retired people in the East Midlands – among more than 1.5 million across Great Britain – receive extra financial help through Pension Credit, according to the latest figures, but the Government says that many more are still not claiming this help.

It has led to renewed calls for pensioners in the region to check if they could be eligible.

Guy Opperman, the Minister for Pensions, said that it was vital for people to get the support available to them and that the process for finding out was relatively straightforward.

“We want to make sure that all older people receive the support they are entitled to,” he said.

“Pension Credit can be claimed by phone and online, ensuring that older people can apply safely, wherever they are.”

He added: “Our online Pension Credit calculator is also on hand to help pensioners check if they’re likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive.”

Mr Opperman urged family members and friends to check in with pensioners to make sure their are getting the support they are entitled to.

The Department for Work and Pensions said that having financial stability does not necessarily mean someone cannot claim Pension Credit.

A spokesperson said: “Having savings, a pension or owning a home are not necessarily barriers to receiving Pension Credit and even a small award of Pension Credit can provide access to a wide range of other benefits – such as help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills.

“For those over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit, these additional benefits include continued entitlement to a free TV licence.”

The Government has also developed a Pension Credit toolkit as an online tool for agencies and welfare rights organisations to use in order to encourage more takeup.

For more information about claiming or eligibility, call 0800 99 1234 or visit the website, where you can use the free online calculator, gov.uk/pension-credit