The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has intensified its campaign to ensure pensioners receive the full range of payments they are entitled to, following troubling statistics that reveal hundreds of thousands are missing out. One of the most underutilized forms of support is Pension Credit, a benefit available to individuals of state pension age and above.
DWP data from October 2025 indicates that nearly 910,000 eligible households did not claim Pension Credit in the 2023/2024 tax year, representing a rise from 760,000 households the previous year. This means 38% of those qualified missed out on support, up from 35% in 2022/2023. Pension Credit can provide around £4,300 annually, topping up income and granting access to additional government benefits—such as a free TV licence for those aged 75 and over.
The core component, called Guarantee Credit, raises income up to £227.10 per week for single applicants and £346.60 per week for couples. Additional amounts are available depending on specific circumstances—for example, an extra £82.90 weekly for individuals with severe disabilities or £46.40 weekly for carers looking after another adult.
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To improve uptake, the DWP reports running its largest-ever Pension Credit campaign, yielding nearly 60,000 new awards this year alone. Partnerships with charities like Age UK and Independent Age focus on reaching pensioners most likely to be eligible yet currently unclaimed. Since 2025, more than 30,000 additional households have begun claiming, with a total of 1,391,070 claimants recorded in May 2025 compared to 1,360,657 in August 2024.
The department’s broad outreach strategy includes television adverts, radio spots on over 150 stations (including Greatest Hits Radio, Classic FM, and Smooth Radio), and digital promotion via Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Notices also appear at GPs and Post Offices to prompt applications. Additionally, anyone applying for Housing Benefit who might qualify for Pension Credit is now automatically invited to apply for it.
Rebecca Lamb, external relations manager at Money Wellness, highlights the urgency of making Pension Credit more accessible. She notes that many eligible pensioners—especially the oldest and most vulnerable—miss out because of lack of awareness, difficulty navigating the application process, or health challenges. “The support exists but isn’t reaching those who need it most,” she said, stressing that missing out on Pension Credit often means also losing access to crucial council tax, housing, NHS dental, and winter support benefits. She estimates the average loss per person is around £3,900 annually.
With poverty protection for pensioners at stake, experts urge continued and enhanced efforts to simplify access and raise awareness, ensuring no eligible senior citizen is left behind.