DWP Sends Thousands of Letters as 1 in 3 Eligible Pensioners Miss Pension Credit
Updated
Updated · Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald · Jun 22
DWP Sends Thousands of Letters as 1 in 3 Eligible Pensioners Miss Pension Credit
3 articles · Updated · Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald · Jun 22
Summary
Thousands of letters are being sent by the DWP to households to spur Pension Credit claims after MPs heard about one in three eligible pensioners still do not receive the benefit.
Around two-thirds of entitled pensioners currently claim it, leaving hundreds of thousands missing support worth thousands of pounds a year for food, heating, housing and other essentials.
Pat McFadden told MPs recent campaigns have generated about 34,000 extra claims, but ministers said many pensioners still either do not realise they qualify or are reluctant to apply.
Officials are increasingly urging children, grandchildren and other relatives to help older family members check eligibility, reflecting concern that trusted contacts may succeed where official outreach has not.
The gap matters beyond the weekly payment because Pension Credit can unlock additional benefits, making low take-up a persistent driver of pensioner poverty.