New research suggests many older people are not claiming Pension Credit, even though they are entitled to it.
New research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies , funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation , indicates that the gap between the poorest pensioners and those on average incomes has been widening in recent years. The charity Independent Age warns that almost two million older people are living in poverty, which is becoming a “huge issue that needs to be addressed urgently”.
“This is a problem across the benefits system, with many people not claiming support they are entitled to. There is no good reason more can’t be done to educate and inform people about their entitlement, as well as to simplify the application process.” Top Money Stories Today She continued: “The IFS and JRF are right to highlight Pension Credit as an effective tool that can lift older people out of poverty. Our own research revealed that pensioner poverty would be significantly reduced if the uptake of Pension Credit increased from its current low rate of 63 per cent.
Check if you qualify for Pension Credit If you are a single person on the New State Pension with a total weekly income below £218.15, or part of a couple with a combined weekly incomes of less than £332.95, you may be eligible for Pension Credit. Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit In May 2019, the law changed so a ‘mixed age couple’ - a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it - are considered to be a ‘working age’ couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.
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