Some 761,000 pensioner households are missing out on more than £9,000 in financial support by failing to claim a “gateway benefit” from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), according to shocking new analysis.
Policy in Practice’s latest report has found that millions of Britons hare not claiming benefits they are eligible for with households losing out on £24billion a year in extra support
Notably, older households are not claiming Pension Credit, which is the means-tested benefit for those who are have reached state pension age or older.
According to Policy in Practice, the average award for Pension Credit itself comes to £2,121 annually but this grows to £9,056 when factoring in the various additional benefits attached to the top-up payment.
Thousands are missing out on a significant Pension Credit boost, research has found
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Council tax concessions, housing benefit and free television licences are among the extra benefits someone could be eligible for if they are in receipt of Pension Credit.
Based on Policy in Practice’s analysis of DWP data, the average amount per Pension Credit claimant comes to:
- Pension Credit: £2,121
- Housing Benefit: £4,788
- Council Tax Support: £1,385
- Water: £236
- Broadband: £200
- Warm Homes Discount: £150
- Free TV licences: £176.
Combined, these benefits reward pensioners with an extra £9,056 per year.
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Recipients of Pension Credit could be entitled to additional support
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GETTYIt should be noted that the percentage of missed Pension Credit claims has slipped by four per cent since 2024/25 from 789,000 to 761,000.
However, the value of unclaimed benefit support jumped by nine per cent over the period, which suggests that those not applying for Pension Credit could be eligible for higher amounts.
DWP data from July 2024 and May 2025 found there was a 51 per cent hike in Pension Credit applications and a 57 per cent jump in awards.
As it stands, it is estimated that 27 per cent of the British population will be aged 65 or older by 2072, which is up from 19 per cent in 2022.
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In its “Missing Out” report, Policy In Practice report cited that older people on low incomes are more likely to skip meals, underheat homes, and delay medical care, raising risks of illness, hospitalisation, and long-term care needs.
The think tank claims that improving take-up of Pension Credit is a preventative investment to ensure poverty in later life is brought down.
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Pensioners are missing out on support
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GETTYOne of the beneficiaries of the Government’s recent take up campaign shared: “Claiming pension credit enabled my husband and me to have a second honeymoon to Ramsgate, our first holiday in ten years.”
Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, London’s deputy mayor of Communities and Social Justice, added: “We know that there are many Londoners who are struggling to get by each month, yet completely unaware of the support available to them.
“From Healthy Start vouchers for new families, to Pension Credit for older Londoners, we will continue to do all we can to support Londoners to get the helping hand they need, as we build a fairer London for everyone.”