New research from HUB Financial Solutions suggests that more than 720,000 people over State Pension age checked their eligibility for benefits last year following the UK Government’s delivery of a series of cost of living payments. Millions of low income, vulnerable, disabled and pensioner households received one-off payments to help them combat double-digit inflation, soaring energy bills and rising food and fuel costs.
The financial strain felt by households due to the rising cost of day-to-day living also drove a similar proportion to check their benefit eligibility. An estimated £1.7billion of available Pension Credit is lost each year due to an estimated 850,000 people not claiming. The Department for Work and Pensions launched a Pension Credit awareness campaign in April 2022 and is continuing to promote the income-related benefit throughout 2023. Some 1.4million older people are currently in receipt of the ‘passport’ benefit which in turn is providing additional financial support for 1.6million pensioners and their spouses or partners.
People can check their eligibility for Pension Credit using the online calculator here or by calling the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234. Other help if you get Pension Credit If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as: All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.