The following statement was issued today:
Damian Hinds is urging pensioners living in East Hampshire to check to see whether they are eligible for Pension Credit.
Over a million people of state pension age claim Pension Credit each year, according to the latest figures, but that number could be higher if those who were entitled to claim the benefit, did so. The estimates from the Department of Work and Pensions suggests that between 720,000 and 880,000 people do not claim the Pension Credit to which they are entitled.
In East Hampshire, 1,240 people are currently receiving Pension Credit payments.
Damian Hinds commented: “With winter fuel payments ending for all but the lowest-income pensioners, and the energy price cap rising by 10 percent this month, now is the time for everyone over 66 to check whether they are entitled to claim Pension Credit. We need to avoid the double whammy of pensioners losing their winter fuel payment from this month and not taking up the extra financial help available from Pension Credit payments.”
The MP has pointed out that there have been Pension Credit take-up drives in the past, but there has never been full take-up, whoever is in government. Under Labour in 2009- 2010, caseload take-up was between 62 percent and 68 percent; in 2020 it was 66 percent and most recently, 63 percent.
Damian added: “Having worked at the Department of Work and Pensions, I know from experience that there have been efforts in the past to increase the number of claimants. It’s proved challenging in the past, but I’d like to see the Department making this a national priority. With so many pensioners in East Hampshire set to lose their winter fuel payment, it’s now more important than ever to remind them of this vital benefit.”
Damian is encouraging pensioners on low incomes to visit: www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim
ENDS
Notes to editors
- The latest DWP estimates are for 2021/22, when there were 1.35 million recipients of Pension Credit in Great Britain. DWP estimates that between 720,000 and 880,000 entitled people did not take up pension credit in that year (with a central estimate of 800,000). The figures equate to a take-up rate of around 63%, based on the central estimates.
- The latest DWP data shows that in February 2024 there were 1,108 Pension Credit claimants in the East Hampshire parliamentary constituency.
- Single people can claim Pension Credit once they have reached State Pension age, whereas for people who have a partner, both partners must have reached state pension age to claim the benefit. Either partner can apply, but only one can claim Pension Credit at any one time. People with partners are paid a higher rate of Pension Credit which is intended to be for both partners. This means the number of Pension Credit beneficiaries is higher than the number of claimants.
- In February 2024, 132 of the Pension Credit claimants in East Hampshire had a partner, equating to 1,240 total recipients of Pension Credit.
