Age UK Oxfordshire pension credit press release

Local charity Age UK Oxfordshire is urging people of pensionable age to check whether they’re entitled to part of more than £8 million that lays unclaimed in the county.

Local, independent charity, Age UK Oxfordshire, is urging local older people to check whether they are entitled to Pension Credit. An estimated 4,372 older people across the county are not claiming the benefit to which they’re entitled, equating to a staggering £8,240,700 in unclaimed entitlement locally.

Pension Credit is an income-related benefit that tops up weekly income to £182.60 for a single person and to a joint £278.70 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.

Penny Thewlis, CEO of Age UK Oxfordshire said: “We are seriously concerned about the impact of the spiralling cost of living on older people locally. This unclaimed Pension Credit, which also serves as a gateway to other forms of support, could go a long way in helping some older people meet rising costs. We are determined to ensure that all local older people are receiving the financial help to which they’re entitled, and so if you think you or a family member might be entitled to Pension Credit, we strongly urge you to check. We want all of that £8.2m to be in local older people’s pockets.”

To find out whether you’re missing out on Pension Credit or other benefits which you’re entitled to, you can use Age UK’s free and anonymous Benefits Calculator online (benefitscheck.ageuk.org.uk) or phone Age UK Oxfordshire’s free Information & Advice helpline on 0345 450 1276.