DWP’s Pension Credit Day of Action sees weekly claims double

More than 10,000 Pension Credit claims were made during the week of 13 June – an increase of 275 per cent compared to that same week in 2021.

The boost means even more pensioners could be in line to receive extra financial support worth an average of over £3,300 a year.

Minister for Pensions Guy Opperman said the success of our Day of Action means more pensioners can get the support to which they’re entitled.

Pension Credit is designed to help with daily living costs for people over State Pension age and on a low income, though you do not need to be in receipt of State Pension to receive it.

It tops up a person’s income to a minimum of £182.60 per week for single pensioners and to £278.70 for couples.

Currently, more than 1.4 million pensioners in Britain receive Pension Credit. However, many are still not claiming this extra financial help.

Rich Mackenzie, DWP visiting officer, said many people who could claim Pension Credit aren’t.

“I would appeal to anyone who comes into contact with pensioners to ask how much they know about Pension Credit,” he said.

“It could be something that helps, and in the current financial climate, there’s no doubt that more people will experience hardship.”

Even a small Pension Credit award 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, this includes continued entitlement to a free TV licence.

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