Record Number of Brits Receiving £3,500 DWP Boost, Thousands More Eligible
In a recent development, nearly 50,000 older Brits are receiving an extra £3,500 annually, with a potential for thousands more to be eligible for this financial assistance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has reported processing a record number of Pension Credit claims, with 117,800 applications approved since July last year, marking a significant 64 per cent increase compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. This surge comes amid a substantial rise in applications, with 300,000 received this year alone.
To address the heightened demand, the DWP has bolstered its workforce by an additional 50 staff members to expedite the claim processing. This proactive approach has resulted in doubling the number of cleared claims from July to February, reducing the backlog from 85,500 to 33,700. Pension Credit serves as a supplementary benefit aimed at individuals who have reached the state pension age and are living on a low income.
Eligible recipients can see their weekly income rise to £201.05, or £306.85 for couples. Factors such as savings below £10,000 leave Pension Credit unaffected, while amounts exceeding this limit lead to a reduction in support. Additionally, Pension Credit offers discounts on essential bills, housing costs like council tax, free TV licences for those over 75, Warm Home Discount worth £150 annually, Cold Weather Payments, Housing Benefit, dental treatment, and optical vouchers.
The DWP highlights that individuals claiming Pension Credit could be £3,500 better off annually, and in some cases, this could even exceed £4,000. Recognising the significance of this support, the government initiated a Pension Credit campaign last autumn, linking eligibility for the £300 winter support payment to claiming Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits, rather than solely age-based criteria.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall expressed satisfaction with the progress, stating, “I’m delighted we’ve been able to reach so many pensioners who need to be on Pension Credit, which can be a lifeline to so many on low incomes.” She reiterated the commitment to providing support, including ongoing campaigns, extending support funds, and maintaining the triple lock on the state pension.
Efforts to strengthen uptake involve strategies such as reaching out to all pensioners applying for Housing Benefit, conducting research on factors driving assistance seeking behaviour, and collaborating with other government bodies like HMRC to utilise income-tracking databases. Despite approximately 800,000 eligible older Britons identified last year, there remains a substantial portion yet to claim their entitlements.
Reflecting on the achievements, Kendall affirmed, “We are absolutely committed to ensuring every pensioner is supported in their retirement.” Those interested in applying for Pension Credit can do so through the Gov.uk website, a helpline, or by completing a paper application form. The online claim form, which takes around 16 minutes to complete, is favoured by 90 per cent of new claimants. This comprehensive scheme signifies a vital lifeline for many older individuals living on restricted incomes.