1 in 3 eligible households not claiming pension credit

Pension credit provides people on low incomes who are over state pension age with extra money to help with living costs.

And it also opens the door to other benefits, including:

• help with rent
• a council tax reduction
• fuel bill support
• a free TV licence if you’re over 75

Nevertheless, about one in three eligible households aren’t claiming pension credit, which can be worth up to £4,000 a year.

In fact, the Work and Pensions Committee says that take-up has “hovered” between 61% and 66% for the last decade.

As a result, it wants more to be done to get people claiming what they’re entitled to.

“It’s a scandal that so many have missed out for so many years, often through an aversion to claiming benefits altogether, or lack of support," the committee said.

Pension credit eligibility rules should be reviewed, say MPs

The Work and Pensions Committee has also raised concerns that the eligibility criteria for pension credit are unfair.

At the moment, you can claim pension credit if your weekly income is less than £227.10 if you’re single or £346.60 for couples.

But if your income is even just a penny over the threshold, you don’t qualify.

The committee has suggested that a taper to pension credit be considered to “mitigate the cliff-edge effect” for those who miss out.

Don’t miss out 

If you’re not sure if you qualify for pension credit, give us a ring and we’ll check for you. 

We can also help you find out if you're receiving all the benefits you're entitled to, or you can use our free benefits calculator to see if you might be eligible for additional support.

Don’t assume you won’t qualify. 

Even if you own your home or have some savings, you could still be eligible.