Luton Borough Council

10/12/2024 - Credit where Credit’s Due - Talk to your friends and family about unclaimed Pension Credits

People aged over 65 in Luton are urged to check their eligibility and apply to the DWP for Pension Credit before 21 December, so they can get the Winter Fuel allowance before the deadline.

The Council is encouraging friends and family members of people who are of pensionable age to raise this issue with them and encourage them to check if they can claim. Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you are over State Pension age and on a low income.

It only takes 16 minutes on average to apply, and anyone who makes a successful claim for Pension Credit before 21 December will receive both backdated Pension Credit and a Winter Fuel Payment. You can check whether you are eligible and make an application by visiting Pension Credit calculator - GOV.UK.

It is estimated that there is over £170m of benefits going unclaimed in Luton. This amount is not just Pension Credits but includes a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Carer’s Allowance and Warm Home Discounts. Benefits that are desperately needed by many low-income households. Residents can also use the Better Off Calculator on our website to see if they qualify for these or other benefits.

Councillor Rob Roche, Cabinet Member for Finance, Housing and Revenues & Benefits, at Luton Council, said: “We know that thousands of Luton residents are not yet in receipt of Pension Credit who should be. With the 21 December approaching, I urge those over 65 to check if you are eligible for Pension Credit and if you are then apply, as it unlocks a range of benefits including the Winter Fuel Payment.

“Pension Credit acts as gateway benefit, so not only is it worth £3,900 per year on average, it means that people who are eligible may also qualify for help with housing costs such as rent and council tax as well as energy bills.

“We know there are millions of pounds of unclaimed benefits in Luton and want people who might be struggling and need extra support to get all the help they can. Please check our Better Off Calculator on the Luton Council website regularly to see if you quality for Pension Credits or any other unclaimed benefits.”