Pensioners are being urged to check if they are missing out on a cash boost worth thousands of pounds each year.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging people to check their entitlement for Pension Credit.
Pension Credit tops up your income to £201.05 per week for single people and to £306.85 for couples.
Those who are entitled to the extra help could be on average £3,500 a year better off, according to the DWP.
Pension Credit also unlocks other perks, such as free TV licences for over-75s and help with housing costs, council tax and heating bills.
Age UK recently estimated that around a third (34%) of pensioners eligible to claim Pension Credit are still missing out on the cash.
The DWP tweeted this week: “You could be missing out on an average of £3,500 a year from #PensionCredit.”
Applying for Pension Credit now could also mean you may qualify for the £301 cost of living payment, which is the first of three instalments that will total £900.
If you can’t see the poll, click here
You'll be able to receive the payment if you backdate your Pension Credit application by May 19.
You can start your Pension Credit application up to four months before you reach State Pension age.
You can apply any time after you reach State Pension age but your application can only be backdated by three months.
Around 1.4 million pensioners in Britain currently get Pension Credit.
Pension Credit - what you need to know
You might be able to claim Pension Credit if you are over the state pension age, and you live in England, Scotland or Wales.
The state pension age is currently 66 for both men and women, but is rising to 67 by 2028.
Pension Credit comes in two parts. You may be entitled to one or both elements, depending on your circumstances.
The Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to:
- £201.05 if you’re single
- £306.85 if you have a partner
If you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have savings or a second pension, you may be eligible for the Savings Credit element of Pension Credit.
You could get up to:
- £15.94 if you're single
- £17.84 if you're a couple
You might get extra help on top of this if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
As an example, you can get an extra £76.40 a week if you have a severe disability, or an extra £42.75 a week if you look after another adult.
If you’re responsible for children or young people, you could get an extra £61.88 a week for each person in your care.
This increases to £72.31 a week for the first child if they were born before April 6, 2017.
If the child or young person is disabled, you could also get an extra amount of £33.67 to £104.86 a week if they get certain benefits.
You can apply for Pension Credit online on the Gov.uk website, by calling 0800 99 1234, or by printing out and filling in a paper application form.
