Only around 63% of people who are eligible to receive Pension Credit claim it, making it is one of the lowest take-up levels for an income related benefit. Last year, Gedling’s MP Tom Randall signed up to become a Penson Credit Champion to support the charity Independent Age’s campaign on Pension Credit take-up across Gedling.
During Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, Gedling’s Conservative Member of Parliament and Pension Credit Champion Tom Randall said “Today [Wednesday 15 June] is Pension Credit Awareness Day. Pension credit is currently underclaimed, with about a quarter of those who are entitled to it not claiming it.”
Tom went on to ask the Prime Minister “Will [he] join me in encouraging people in Gedling and throughout the country to check their eligibility and make that claim, so that we can get more money into the pockets of pensioners?"
The Prime Minister replied: “That is a very worthwhile and important campaign that [Tom Randall MP] supports. Too many pensioners fail to take up their entitlements under pension credit. It can be worth an additional £3,300 a year, and the more we can do to make pensioners aware of it, the better.”
Pensioners across Gedling are encouraged to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit by visiting www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator and can apply for Pension Credit online at apply-for-pension-credit.service.gov.uk/start or by phoning 0800 99 1234.
Speaking after PMQs, Tom said, “As a Pension Credit Champion I have recently posted out over 650 letters, with my Pension Credit Factsheet enclosed, to pensioners across Gedling, encouraging them to check their eligibility and make a claim.
“Claiming Pension Credit could add an additional £3,300 a year to a households income, so it is well worth Gedling pensioners checking their eligibility and I will continue to encourage them to do so.”
