Thousands of people could be missing out on £67 every week – and the DWP is urging them to claim. More than 1 million people are already claiming pension credit, described as a ‘passport benefit’, which can give people access to other schemes.
The government department sent out a message on X, formerly Twitter, urging people to see if they are eligible, The Mirror reports. The post said: “Don’t miss out on #PensionCredit. Around 1.4 million households are already claiming. Check your eligibility and apply online today. #HelpForHouseholds”.
DWP previously said many do not claim the cash as they wrongly believe that because they have savings or own their own home they would not be eligible for Pension Credit. Almost a million people are currently missing out on the benefit.
Pension Credit is thought to be worth around £3,500 per year, or around £67 each week. It is often referred to as a “passport” benefit as once a person is claiming they can then get access to freebies and other money-saving schemes.
These can include:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax discount
- Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
DWP previously highlighted a number of barriers that stop people claiming Pension Credit.
Older people may wrongly think they are not eligible because 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
Other factors may be that they:
- 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
To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.
You can find out more about Pension Credit on GOV.UK here
