Martin Lewis says 800,000 pensioners may declare an additional £3,500

Families of pensioners have been urged to help them get a £3,500 support fund. The significance of Pension Credit has risen as it is now tied to the eligibility for the £200 winter fuel payment.

Due to changes by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, only those who claim Pension Credit will qualify – leaving around 10 million people unable to benefit. Money expert Martin Lewis has previously said Pension Credit should be automatically enrolled due to its importance.

Yet the new Labour government has yet to make this change. And that has resulted in an estimated 800,000 of the country’s poorest missing out.

Pension Credit serves as an extra benefit meant to provide more income to those who haven’t racked up enough national insurance credits for a full state pension. Single people with a total income of around £220 per week and couples with £320 per week could be eligible.

Mr Lewis says families of those eligible could step in to help them apply. If they did, it could lead to around £3,500 extra annually.

Earlier this year, the financial guru urged family members and friends to spread awareness about Pension Credit. Mr Lewis has expressed his “deep frustration” at the fact that many individuals who lack enough national insurance credits for a full state pension aren’t claiming Pension Credit, reports Teesside Live.

Lewis stressed the importance of helping the hundreds of thousands in poverty who miss out on pension credit. And he thinks the process should be automatic to ensure those eligible, especially those with the lowest incomes, get Pension Credit without needing to apply.

“That should be our priority. If you’re listening to this, please be an ambassador for helping the older members of our community get what they’re entitled to by claiming Pension Credit,” he urged his audience.

How to apply for Pensions Credit

You can start your application up to 4 months before you reach State Pension age. Applications can be made any time after reaching State Pension age but can only be backdated by 3 months.

This means you can get up to 3 months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time. You can use the online service if you’ve already applied for your State Pension or call the Pension Credit claim line at 0800 99 1234 to apply by phone.

Eligibility for Pension Credit is generally for single pensioners with total weekly income under approximately £220 or pensioner couples with weekly income under roughly £320, considering all income sources. For more information on claiming click here.

Pension Credit serves as a gateway benefit, allowing recipients to access additional support, including a cost of living payment of up to £600, a free TV licence worth £160 per year, council tax reductions potentially worth thousands of pounds annually, warm home discounts valued at £150 per year, cold weather payments, free dental treatment, and vouchers for free glasses. Lewis said these benefits are triggered by receiving Pension Credit and highlighted that 800,000 eligible pensioners in the UK are not currently claiming it.

Mr Lewis called for better automation and data collection to ensure that those eligible for Pension Credit are proactively informed and can access this vital support. “There is a safety net there which has big holes in it because 800,000 people are falling through,” he said.