• Henry Smith MP has welcomed a new campaign from the Government to boost the take up of Pension Credit in Crawley, giving more people the security of savings in later life.
• There are already around 1,777 claimants in Crawley, but more people are eligible for an average of £3,300 a year in extra support.
• Nationwide, the Government has driven take-up of Pension Credit to the highest level since 2010 but now wants to reach the 850,000 people who could still benefit but have not yet applied.

Henry Smith MP has welcomed a new Government campaign to boost the take-up of Pension Credit in Crawley as part of wider support with the cost of living.

Pension Credit is a top up for our most vulnerable pensioners that is worth an average of £3,300. As well as a cash top up to the State Pension, it is a passport to a suite of other benefits such as help with housing costs, council tax reduction schemes, heating bills and a free over-75s TV licence.

There are already 1,777 claimants of Pension Credit in Crawley but we know around 25 per cent of people who could claim the extra help do not currently do so.

To help, the Government has launched a major campaign to encourage eligible pensioners, as well as those who care for and support older people, to access the help they are entitled to.

Pensions Minister Guy Opperman has written to local newspapers across the country and the Department for Work & Pensions will send leaflets to 11 million pensioners. A high-profile media day will also take place on 15th June 2022.

Pension Credit can be claimed online, by telephone or by post. Information is available on the GOV.UK website: www.gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling the Freephone Pension Credit claim line on: 0800 99 1234.

Henry said;

“It’s great news that 1,777 pensioners in Crawley already claim Pension Credit, but it’s important for everyone else in our area to claim all the help they’re entitled to.

“That’s why the Government has launched a major campaign to encourage eligible pensioners, as well as those who care for and support older people, to access the help they are entitled to.

“This will ensure that eligible pensioners know what support is available and will help people prepare and save for later life.”

Commenting, Minister for Pensions, Guy Opperman, said;

“Pension Credit provides a vital income ‘top up’ for some of our most vulnerable pensioners – worth more than £3,300 on average.

“The good news is the latest figures show take-up is at the highest level since 2010 and around 1.4 million pensioners currently receive it. But there is much more to do to reach those who could claim but don’t.

“That’s why I’ve written to local newspapers across the country, produced leaflets for 11 million pensioners and will be holding a Media Day in June to ensure everybody knows where to get extra help to which they are entitled.”