Since the launch of a campaign in February, Ealing Council, in partnership with AgeUK Ealing and Ealing Mencap, has supported 174 older residents to receive an additional £3,930 each per year in unclaimed Pension Credit payments.
Pension Credit is a payment that older residents are entitled to and can provide support during the ongoing cost of living crisis. Working with social policy and data analytics company Policy in Practice, 601 eligible households were directly contacted, informing them of their Pension Credit entitlement that was going unclaimed.
Potentially life changing
Leader of the council, Councillor Peter Mason said: “The cost-of-living crisis means that people across Ealing are really struggling. It’s fantastic to know that council officers have helped 174 older residents to get £4,000 a year extra into their bank accounts. This money is potentially life changing.”
Since February, £8.3 million in unclaimed Pension Credit has been secured by pensioners across London. This valuable benefit is often widely underclaimed, with £246.5million still unclaimed across London.
‘Passport benefit’
Councillor Steve Donnelly, cabinet member for inclusive economy, said: “Times are tough at the moment, so we are pleased to be able to reach out directly to those households who are eligible for more support that they’re not claiming. Not only is Pension Credit about the almost £4,000 extra per year, but it’s also a ‘passport benefit’, which means that if you receive it you can claim other support such as a free TV licence, cold weather payments and attendance allowance.”
Following the resounding success of this initial phase, the campaign is set to expand its reach this autumn and winter to include up to 23 boroughs. The collective efforts of these boroughs are anticipated to touch the lives of more than10,000 older households, with an estimated £9million in Pension Credit being claimed.
The campaign was launched and continues to be supported by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who said: “This has been a hugely successful campaign that has secured more than £8million in unclaimed benefits for older Londoners on the lowest incomes, who are disproportionately feeling the cost of living squeeze.
“I am pleased that we will now be extending the scheme to thousands more older Londoners who may not know they are eligible to receive Pension Credit or how to claim it. This is part of my commitment to continue building a better and more prosperous London for everyone.”
How to claim
Check if you’re eligible for Pension Credit by using the online calculator.
Call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 or textphone 0800 169 0133, or apply online. If you cannot use a phone, then 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 one).
