£1.7bn of Pension Credit unclaimed as living costs rise

ABOUT 850,000 households are thought to be missing vital Pension Credit as the cost of living crisis bites.

While more than 1.4 million pensioners receive Pension Credit, many are not claiming this financial help that can be a gateway to other benefits.

About £1.7billion of the benefit is left unclaimed, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

At the DWP’S second annual Pension Credit “day of action”, to raise awareness, it said it will provide leaflets for communities, and state pension recipients will continue to receive reminders about it in the post.

Designed to help those who are over state pension age and on a low income, Pension Credit tops up a person’s income to a minimum of £182.60 a week for single pensioners and £278.70 for couples. An online calculator can help pensioners check their eligibility and see what they may receive.