Age Cymru supporting DWP’s Pension Credit Week of Action
Published on 13 June 2023 05:03 PM
More than £200m worth of pension credit goes unclaimed in Wales each year
Age Cymru is supporting the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Pension Credit Week of Action to encourage older people across Wales to apply for pension credit. More than £200m worth of pension credit goes unclaimed in Wales each year.
The average pension credit award is worth more than £3,500 per year and it can open doors to a whole host of other benefits including support with energy bills, help with council tax and rent, reduced water bills, free NHS dental treatment, and a free TV license if over 75 years of age.
The week of action, which runs from 12 to 18 June, is supported by the Westminster Government’s Minister for Pensions Laura Trott MP, MBE, and Martin Lewis, founder of Money Savings Expert.
Pension credit tops up the weekly income of a single pensioner to £201.05 or a pensioner couple to £306.85, or more in some circumstances, and is entirely separate from the state pension.
Age Cymru’s chief executive Victoria Lloyd says “Some people don’t claim pension credit as they may think they’re not eligible, perhaps because they own their own home or have savings. Some are put off by the claims process or simply don’t realise the range of support that is available to them in older age. While others might feel they are managing or don’t want to be seen as needing to claim.
“We will continue to encourage older people to seek the support they need to claim all their benefit entitlements. More than 82,000 older people in Wales already claim pension credit. It is support that can ease the struggle and take away some of the worry about paying for bills.”
To keep up to date with all the current support available to help older people through the cost-of-living crisis visit Age Cymru’s website: www.agecymru.org.uk/cost-of-living
To order a copy of Age Cymru’s More Money in Your Pocket guide, or if you’d like to seek the support of the charity’s information and advice service about this or any other matter, call 0300 303 44 98 between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, or email advice@agecymru.org.uk.
To make a claim for pension credit, call the DWP pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.
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