Millions missing out on pension credit entitlement
Posted on 13 February 2012
More than one million older people are missing out on benefits that they are entitled to, a minister has claimed.
Steve Webb, the pensions minister, has stated that around 1.6 million elderly people are not claiming their pension credit entitlement.
Collectively that means that they are missing out on nearly £3 billion, the equivalent of £137.35 a week.
People who qualify for pension credit can claim a cold weather payment if the temperature plummets below freezing on average for a period of seven days or more.
Whether people own their own home or have savings does not mean that they are not entitled, and the extra funding could boost a couple’s weekly income by as much as £210.
Mr Webb said: “If anyone thinks a family member, a friend or neighbour might be entitled to pension credit, I'd encourage them to ask them to get in touch and find out.”
Even people are currently in a care home can qualify for the extra funding.
Posted by the Paying for Care editorial team