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Check if you are entitled to pension credits

Check if you are entitled to pension credits
21 November 2024

Older people., and their friends and family, are being urged to check if they are claiming pension credits after more than 100 new claimants in Darlington discovered they were entitled to thousands of pounds a year.

Pension Credit is extra money from the government for pensioners to help with living costs for those over state age pension and on low incomes.

We recently wrote to 361 pensioners in the borough who we believed were eligible but were not claiming pension credit. This led to 117 new claims being made to the Department of Work and Pensions. Some of these claims have already been processed and on average claimants have received £3,900 extra a year, which equates to an extra £456,300 a year coming into the local economy.

We are urging people to check if they have received a letter from us and if they have, to take  simple steps to see if they are eligible.

You can find out if you are eligible and apply online at www.gov.uk/pension-credit. If you need help or support to see if you are eligible and to apply visit the Citizens Advice (CA) website  www.citizensadvicedrc.org.uk, email [email protected] or call 01325 734999. You can also pop in to talk to someone at CA, between 10am and noon, Monday - Friday, The Core Building, Church Row, DL1 5QD (next to the Boot and Shoe).

Jim Garner, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “We know there are older residents in our community who are eligible for more money from the government but haven’t claimed it. I would urge people to speak to their older relatives or friends and make sure they haven’t ignored our letter. It is simple to apply and the specialist team at CA can offer a helping hand so everyone can get the money they are entitled to.

“This money will not only help those who receive it but will also bring extra money into the local economy which will benefit us all. Those who have already applied have had a real boost to their income and if the money is unclaimed it will stay with the government rather than coming to those who need it.”

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