Don't miss out on Pension Credit

Today is Pension Credit Day of Action – an awareness day designed to encourage people of 66 or over on low incomes to check their eligibility for a benefit which can be worth over £3,000 a year in financial support and additional discounts.

As the cost of living crisis deepens, and many older people are struggling with soaring energy bills, the rising cost of fuel and food price increases, it is more important than ever to ensure that those in need receive every penny of support they are entitled to.

Older people in Scotland can find out with a phone call to the Age Scotland helpline. Our expert advisors can carry out a full benefits’ check to determine what financial support is available and help callers claim their money.

Last year our helpline dealt with 918 pension credit referrals, including 108 new referrals from people who weren’t in receipt of the benefit and 810 cases uncovering additional funds, backdated payments and dealing with application appeals.

Between April 2021 and March 2022, our helpline identified £180,274.44 in unclaimed pension credit for older people in Scotland.

But we know that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Around 131,000 older people in Scotland are currently receiving pension credit but it is believed that approximately 123,000 eligible households are not claiming the benefit. That’s a lot of money going to waste that could be helping older people in need live more comfortably.

Those who are eligible but not claiming pension credit are missing out. Pension credit is a means-tested benefit that can help with living costs, including council tax reduction, a free TV licence for over 75s, help with heating and housing costs, help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and getting patient transport for hospital appointments.

Another way to find out if you can claim pension credit is to use the benefits calculator on the Age Scotland website. Input your information and let the calculator tell you how much extra support is available.

Age Scotland also publishes a free up-to-date information guide on pension credit which is available online to download or a printed copy can be posted.

Or you might prefer to attend one of our Free Online Benefit Workshop | Age Scotland (ageuk.org.uk) which cover all aspects of social security claims and have received very positive feedback from those who have taken part.

We know this is a tough time for many older people, especially those on low incomes, and the financial challenges are only going to get worse as we move towards winter. There is no better time to pick up the phone to our helpline – 0800 12 44 222 - or read our pension credit guide and find out if you could be receiving more support to live better.