Darren Paffey, MP for Southampton Itchen has launched a Pension Credit awareness and sign-up campaign, in partnership with Satvir Kaur MP for Southampton Test, Citizens Advice Southampton, Age UK Southampton and Southampton City Council. The aim of the campaign is to encourage those eligible to claim Pension Credit and it will launch with an advice and support session on Friday 18th October.
This awareness campaign comes as the Government announced the means-testing of Winter Fuel Payments. The changes mean that Winter Fuel Payments will be targeted at those most in need of support, and those who claim Pension Credit will continue to receive the payments as before.
However, many of those eligible are not currently claiming Pension Credit. Information from Southampton City Council and Darren Paffey’s office show that an estimated 1 in 4 pensioners in Southampton are eligible for Pension Credit, whilst a staggering estimate shows 40% of those eligible are not claiming Pension Credit.
Pension Credit is a welfare benefit that provides extra income to eligible people over state pension age. Pension Credit is available to those whose income is below £218.15 if single or below £332.95 if in a couple.
Charities participating in this campaign have said that some eligible people do not claim because they believe their income is too high, or they think that they will only qualify for a small amount so feel it is not worth it. The message from these same charities is clear. Double check your eligibility and do not be put off if you are only eligible for a small amount as, by claiming it, you could become eligible for many other benefits. Pension Credit claimants may also be eligible to receive help with healthcare and housing costs, Cold Weather Payments, energy saving grants, a free TV licence, and they will continue to receive Winter Fuel Payments if signed up before Saturday 21st December this year.
The event on Friday 18th October, hosted by the Southampton Itchen MP in partnership with Citizens Advice Southampton, Southampton City Council and Age UK Southampton, is aimed at providing guidance and support for the signing up process. The event also aims to raise awareness about the additional support available to Pension Credit claimants.
Darren Paffey, MP for Southampton Itchen said:
“Over the past 14 years, the number of pensioners in poverty, has increased by over 300,000. A major driver in this figure was the 800,000 pensioners on low income who have been eligible for potentially thousands of pounds of support, through Pension Credit, not claiming it.
“I’m working with brilliant local organisations to increase the uptake of Pension Credit. I encourage all of those over the state pension age who want more information to come to the event; I also encourage family members to come along to support their pension age relatives get the support they are entitled to.
“Under this Labour Government we are launching the biggest Pension Credit sign up campaign ever, protecting the triple lock, insulating 5 million homes and introducing the strongest protections for renters in a generation. Under Labour, we will reduce pensioner poverty, just like we did with the last Labour Government.”
To book a place at the Pension Credit support session on Friday 18th September, please email Darren Paffey’s office at: [email protected] or call 02380 017393.
ENDS