Alyn Smith Urges Pension Credit Sign-ups

Published:

Categories: Constituency, Inequality, Pensions,

Local MP Alyn Smith is urging those who are eligible to take up Pension Credit. This is extra money to assist with living costs if the applicant is over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension credit can also assist with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. 

This comes after reports by Independent Age noting that pensioner poverty had increased with 18% of pensioners living in poverty and 10% living in severe poverty.

Boosting Pension Credit could lift nearly 450,000 pensioners out of poverty. It is easy to apply online, via the phone or by post. Applicants can begin their application 4 months before they reach pensionable age and apply anytime afterwards. However, an application can only be backdated 3 months, so it is best to apply early.

Alyn Smith MP said:

Pensioner poverty is a real problem up and down the country. Pension Credit can make a real and valuable difference to people’s lives, but uptake is still worryingly low. Pension Credit uptake has hovered at around 60 per cent for almost 10 years meaning that around 1 million older people are missing out.

‘Pensioner poverty also exacerbates other problems such as social isolation. This money can be used for food, heating, public and private transport and social activities. This is why I am calling on all eligible pensioners to sign up, and for family members to ensure their loved ones know about this potential extra support.’

Notes:

Further information about how to apply can be found here – https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit

More information about the issue- https://www.independentage.org/campaigning/evidence-briefings/low-uptake-of-pension-credit