DWP issues urgent warning as 660,000 pensioners could be missing out on £4,500 boost

The benefit tops up the income of pensioners on lower incomes, but many eligible households are still not claiming it.

The campaign follows last year’s record awareness drive, which led to an additional 33,500 successful Pension Credit awards.

Leaflets will be sent to households in seven areas with high numbers of pensioners on lower incomes.

These are Glasgow, Powys, Stockton-on-Tees, inland Cornwall, Birmingham, East Suffolk and Manchester.

The DWP also wants to correct common misunderstandings about the qualifying rules.

Some pensioners mistakenly believe that owning their home or having savings automatically prevents them from claiming.

Around 1.4 million pensioner households already receive Pension Credit.

The latest campaign aims to reach those who may qualify but have not yet applied.

Each leaflet walks recipients through the application process and explains how family members can help a loved one submit a claim.

Pensions Minister Torsten Bell said: “Far too many pensioners are missing out on support they’re entitled to.

“Pension Credit is worth more than £4,500 a year on average and can make a real difference to people’s finances, while also opening the door to help with bills and other everyday costs.”

Mr Bell added: “If you think you might be eligible, it’s worth checking. We want to make sure pensioners get the support they’re entitled to and don’t miss out on money that could help them in retirement.”

Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, said: “Our analysis found that in 2023/4 more than a million older people on low incomes who are eligible for Pension Credit did not receive it, missing out on a combined £2.5billion of life-changing support.”

Ms Vine described hearing “heartbreaking stories” of older people suffering financial hardship simply because they were unaware of the benefit or did not realise they qualified.

The Government has emphasised that Pension Credit is just one element of a broader package of support available to retirees.

Other measures include the Winter Fuel Payment, Cold Weather Payments and Attendance Allowance, alongside the State Pension, which is due to increase by up to £2,100 over the course of this Parliament.

The leaflet campaign forms part of the DWP’s Pension Credit Week of Action, designed to tackle persistent myths around eligibility. Advertising will also run across print, television, radio and social media, including a partnership with ITV’s The Chase.

Recipients are encouraged to pin the leaflet to their fridge for easy reference.

Pensioners seeking further guidance have been urged to contact charities such as Independent Age and Citizens Advice for additional help navigating the claims process.