Pensions - Articles - Over a million families fail to claim their Pension Credit

 Commenting on the release of Department of Work and Pension figures, Stephen Lowe, group communications director at Just Group, said: “Pension Credit is designed to top-up the incomes of the poorest pensioners but four out of 10 entitled to claim – about 1.2 million families – are failing to claim. That is up to £2.5bn of cash that is not being received, an average of around £2,000 a family.

 “These latest figures show that take up rates are lower for couples at 55% than they are for single females (62%) or for single men (67%). And those aged over 75 are slightly less likely to claim than younger people.

 “The human story to this is the hundreds of thousands of people who are struggling to make ends meet who may not realise financial help is available or do not know how to navigate the system.

 “Our own research reveals that four in 10 (42%) of those aged over 65 had never checked if they were eligible for a benefit, a figure that is higher among homeowners (49%) and those aged over 80 (57%).

 “This year the decision to end free TV licences for over-75s except those receiving Pension Credit could help highlight the problem and encourage more people to claim. Ultimately the onus is on people to claim for themselves. Checking or yourself or for an elderly relative or friend is not onerous. The government web site has links to useful third-party calculators (https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators) while other sources are Citizens Advice and local councils.”

 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2017-to-2018