More than 100 vulnerable older people are collectively over £5million better off, thanks to an intervention by Ealing Council.
133 people over 65 in the borough have received an additional £4,000 a year in previously unclaimed pension credit payments that they had been missing out on, thanks to a London-wide campaign rolled out locally by the council.
These pensioners are also receiving £26,600 in total of winter fuel payments, which means that in total their budgets have been boosted by around £4,200 per household per year, when combined with pension credit.
But, it is thought that there are still more than 740 households in the borough that are entitled to pension credit that haven’t yet claimed it. Together with Age UK and Ealing Advisory Service, the council is continuing to reach out to them to help them maximise their income.
What is pension credit?
Pension credit is a payment to top up your income that you can apply for when you reach state pension age. How much you could get depends on the value of your current state pension, other income, and any savings you may have.
You must claim pension credit by Saturday 21 December in order to:
- get the winter fuel payment – worth up to £300
- apply for a free TV licence if you’re 75 or over
- get cold weather payments
- get help with NHS costs. This can include things like prescriptions, dental treatment, glasses, and transport costs for hospital appointments
Find out whether you’re eligible
You can use an online calculator to check whether you qualify for pension credit. If you are identified by the council as eligible, in the next few weeks you will receive a letter with important information and instructions on how to apply.
To access the pension credit claim line, call 0800 99 1234or textphone 0800 169 0133 or apply online. If you cannot use a phone, a friend or family member can call for you.
You will need the following information ready:
- your National Insurance number
- information about your income, savings, and investments
- your bank account details.
You can also apply by post. Print out and fill in the pension credit claim form or call the claim line to request a form. Send the claim form to The Pension Service 8, Post Handling Site B, Wolverhampton WV99 1AN.
If you would like to talk to someone about claiming pension credit or attendance allowance, please call Age UK Ealing on 020 8567 8017 or Ealing Advice Service on 020 8579 8429 (select option 1).
Unlocking vital financial support
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes said: “With colder weather on the way, we know that some residents will have real worries about how they’re going to keep warm, and some will even have to choose between eating and heating. One of the best ways to help people avoid falling into this trap is to help them maximise their incomes.
“Receiving pension credit can be life-changing for many people and is making a real difference to some of the borough’s most vulnerable people. We encourage everyone to check if they or someone they know might be eligible.”
Further help
If you’re struggling to make ends meet, Ealing Council can help. Nearly £2.6million in extra funding is now available for local people facing financial difficulties.
If you don’t qualify for pension credit but you are experiencing financial hardship, you can apply for local welfare assistance.
