Money-saving guru Martin Lewis has let rip a stark warning to 800,000 state pensioners; they could be missing out on vital Pension Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
On his ITV show ‘The Martin Lewis Money Show’ during a Budget special episode, he urged his audience to apply for Pension Credit, with a potential windfall of £3,900 at stake.
Furious with Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the Labour government’s decision to slash £300 Winter Fuel Payments, Lewis said: “I just want to say, because the government is not doing anything, if you know someone on the state pension on a very low income, they’ve lost the cost of living payment, they’ve lost winter fuel payment, please get them to check if they are eligible for pension credit.”
He didn’t hold back, adding that citizens need to take action where the government has stalled: “More should have been done, it isn’t being done, get them to check.”
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Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has joined the push, during the DWP’s Pension Credit Week of Action, exhorting older folks to see if they’re due some extra dosh. Ms Kendall chipped in saying: “It’s easier than ever to check if you are eligible, including with our online calculator, and if your circumstances have changed since the last time you looked I urge you to check again.”
She also highlighted a significant issue, saying: “Thousands of pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit worth on average £3,900 per year. That needs to change.”, reports Birmingham Live.
It’s key to remember that new applicants who managed to submit their documents before December 21 will receive a backdated Winter Fuel Payment, which could be anything from £100 to £300.