State pension alert as DWP sends letter which may mean a boost worth £3,500 | Personal Finance | Finance

To reach more pensioners, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be launching an “Invitation to Claim” mailing trial this summer.

The average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,500 per year and can act as a gateway benefit for many other freebies and discounts, such as housing costs (i.e., ground rent or service charges), council tax discounts and cost of living payments.

Pension Credit can top up a person’s income to a minimum of £201.05 per week for single pensioners and to £306.85 for couples. It is separate from one’s state pension.

People can get more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.

The DWP is joining forces with charities and broadcasters to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and apply for Pension Credit.

Currently, nearly 1.4 million pensioners in Britain receive Pension Credit and take-up is at the highest level since 2010.

However, many are still not claiming this extra financial help. The latest government figures suggest that around 850,000 eligible pensioners are missing out on the cash boost.

Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over state pension age and on a low income.

To encourage people to claim the benefit, the DWP has announced their “Invitation to Claim” initiative.

Letters will be sent to potentially eligible households who receive Housing Benefit across 10 local authorities in Britain.

The ten local councils include:

• Eastbourne
• Teignbridge
• Pendle
• Charnwood
• Vale of White Horse
• Redcar and Cleveland
• Craven
• Harrow
• Powys
• West Lothian

Minister for Pensions Laura Trott is today calling on pensioners to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit ahead of the launch of a new “Invitation to Claim” trial.

Pension Credit can be claimed by phone and online, ensuring that older people can apply safely and easily, wherever they are.

The online Pension Credit calculator is also on hand to help pensioners check if they’re likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive. Pension Credit can also be claimed by post.

Ms Trott MBE said: “We recognise the challenges some pensioners will be facing with the cost of living, which is why, alongside driving down inflation, promoting Pension Credit is a priority.

“During the Week of Action, we will be out and about spreading the word – and you can help too. Speak to your older loved ones about Pension Credit and get them to check if they could be eligible for this vital extra support, worth an average of £3,500 per year.”

For more information, people can visit the Government website.