Are you eligible for Pension Credit?

We are urging people of pensionable age to check whether they’re entitled to part of more than £10 million that lays unclaimed in the county.

We are urging local older people to check whether they are entitled to Pension Credit. An estimated 5,000 older people across the county are not claiming the benefit to which they’re entitled, equating to a staggering £10.4 million in unclaimed entitlement locally.

Pension Credit is an income-related benefit that tops up weekly income to £201.05 for a single person and to a joint £306.85 for a couple. Even a small award of Pension Credit can provide access to help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills and, for those over 75, this includes continued entitlement to a free TV licence.

Paul Ringer, CEO of Age UK Oxfordshire said: “We are aware of the very real pressures and challenges that the cost-of-living rise is creating for people day to day, and with recent data showing that such a large amount of Pension Credit lies unclaimed in Oxfordshire, we urge people to check whether they or a family member might be entitled to some of that income.”

Registering for Pension Credit can make it easier to unlock other financial entitlements, meaning the overall savings can be significantly more than the income top-up itself. This includes Oxfordshire County Council’s Resident Support Scheme, that helps with short term basic living costs such as food and credit for gas or electric prepayment meters.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Adult Social Care, said: “It’s quite astonishing that more than ten million pounds worth of support is going unclaimed by people in Oxfordshire who have worked hard all their lives to receive such an entitlement.

I would urge anyone who thinks they might be entitled to Pension Credit to take the simple checks to see if they are eligible. And if they are, it might set the ball rolling for even more financial support coming their way.”

You can apply for Pension Credit online (www.gov.uk/pension-credit) or by phone (0800 99 1234).

If you want to check whether you are entitled to Pension Credit or other benefits, you can use Age UK’s free and anonymous Benefits Calculator online (benefitscheck.ageuk.org.uk) or phone our free Information & Advice helpline on 0345 450 1276.

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Editor’s notes

About Age UK Oxfordshire

Age UK Oxfordshire is an independent local charity dedicated to enabling older people in Oxfordshire to maintain their independence and live life to the full.

We provide free local information, advice, and a wide range of support services as well as campaigning on the issues that matter to people in later life. We work with our national partner, Age UK, and other local Age UKs in England.  Our work focuses on four key areas: money matters, health and wellbeing, home and care and social connections and enjoyment.

You can find further information on all our services and volunteering opportunities by telephoning 0345 450 1276 or by visiting our website: www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire

Age UK Oxfordshire is a charitable company limited by guarantee (registered charity number 1091529 and company number 4328143). For all media enquiries please contact Emma Duckett on 07799 051682 or email media@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk.

About Oxfordshire County Council’s Resident Support Scheme

The Resident Support Scheme is designed to support residents who are either in, or at risk of being in crisis, are in need of immediate help and have no other source of financial support available to them.  

It can help with short term basic living costs and, in some circumstances, can help with payment towards with white goods, furniture and clothing.

It is intended to meet one-off crisis or emergency need and is not designed to meet any type of ongoing expenses.

Cash will not usually be awarded, but a pay point voucher (which can be redeemed for cash) or bank transfer can be supplied where necessary.

More information, including ways to apply, can be found at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/help-rising-living-costs/residents-support-scheme.