Although tens of thousands more pensioners have applied for and are now receiving Pension Credit, Sefton Council is still urging local people who are of State Pension age to check whether they are eligible.

Weekly claims have more than doubled

An extra 42,500 pensioners – aged 66 years or older – are now in receipt of Pension Credit, since July, and will receive the Winter Fuel Payment. Over the past five months, average number of Pension Credit claims a week have more than doubled.

Pension Credit is worth on average £3,900 per year to pensioners on a low income. When they qualify for Pension Credit, it can open up other support such as Winter Fuel Payments, help with Council Tax and NHS dental care. And a free TV licence for over 75s.

Up to 8,000 eligible pensioners in Sefton 

In September, as many as 8,000 eligible pensioners in Sefton were thought not to be claiming Pension Credit, according to research by Independent Age. That’s over £19 million that people could be missing out on.

Further information on who eligible and how to apply for Pension Credit can be found at www.gov.uk/pension-credit.

People just need their National Insurance number and details of income and pensions and any money, savings and investments for the previous three months, to apply.

Missing out

Cllr Liz Dowd, Sefton Council’s Cabinet member for Communities and Partnership Engagement said:  “I’m glad to see that overall, many more people are applying for and receiving Pension Credit, but I am sure there will be many eligible pensioners in Sefton who still haven’t applied.

“And that means they could be missing out on £218.15 a week for a single person or £332 for a couple.

“If you have a parents or grandparents, aunts or uncles, friends or neighbours who are of pensionable age, I am appealing to you directly to encourage those older people to apply and make sure they are not losing out.

“Give them a hand to go through the simple online application process so that government’s Department for Work and Pensions can work out for you whether you qualify for extra payments.

“All the information you need is at www.gov.uk/pension-credit.

“If the DWP says ‘yes’, you’ve done that pensioner a huge favour and if the DWP says ‘no’ it has cost nothing apart from a few minutes of your time."

Advice and support

People can also find a wide range of advice and support at www.sefton.gov.uk/cost-of-living.