DWP urges people to check if they qualify for pension top-up

The DWP estimates that up to one million people of State Pension age may be entitled to Pension Credit, but are not claiming the benefit

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that up to one million people of State Pension age living in households across the UK may be entitled to Pension Credit, but are not claiming the benefit.

At a parliamentary hearing last year, Secretary of State at the DWP, Dr Therese Coffey, explained how even if someone applies for it and only receives two pence per week from the UK Government, it will still open the door to additional benefits and discounts.

This is because people who receive Pension Credit could also qualify for additional financial help with Council Tax or Housing Benefit and if they are over 75, they will also get a free TV licence – a saving of £159 on the annual fee.

Speaking at the time, Dr Coffey told the Work and Pensions Committee: About three-quarters of people whom we estimate to be eligible for the minimum income guarantee do apply. On the savings side, only about half of people, we estimate, apply.

I expect a lot of that might be driven not by complexity but, when you go through some of the calculation, you might be getting pennies back from the savings credit element, she said.

She continued: We will continue to highlight the other benefits that could accrue and, even if you are getting, frankly, two pence a week from the (UK) Government, what you could be entitled to as well.

She said: We will continue to advertise that, but we have done quite a substantial amount of advertising in the past year. We cannot force people to apply for this. There are plenty of indicators.