DWP says millions must check letter being sent in January or risk losing £3,900
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More than 10 million Brits will be urged to ensure they don’t miss out on a £3,900 boost. Those eligible for the benefit are also entitled to a free TV licence, something which otherwise costs £169.50 a year. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be writing to 11 million pensioners this month to make sure they check if they qualify for Pension Credit. This cash support is there for older people on low incomes.
It currently tops up a person’s income to £218.15 a week if they're single, or £332.95 as a couple. According to the DWP, the average Pension Credit award is worth more than £3,900 a year. But, as reported by The Sun, it is thought as many as 800,000 people could be missing out on the cash. This is attributed to a lack of awareness that it exists.
Pensions minister Torsten Bell explained: "Over the coming weeks, as part of the annual state pension uprating exercise, around 11 million pensioners will receive a leaflet promoting Pension Credit along with their state pension uprating letter.". The money is there to help with costs such as housing, council tax and heating bills. And for those aged over 75, it includes a free TV licence.
The price of a TV licence is set to rise by £5 from £169.50 to £174.50 in April. However, at the same time the State Pension and Pension Credit will also go up. State pension will increase by 4.1 percent, bringing the weekly payment to £230.30. Guaranteed Pension Credit payments will also go up from £218.15 a week to £221.86, or £332.95 to £338.61 for couples.
