As many as 760,000 pensioner households were entitled to Pension Credit but did not claim it, it has emerged.

760,000 pensioners wake up missing £1,900 they are owed from the DWP

As many as 760,000 pensioner households were entitled to Pension Credit but did not claim it, it has emerged.

by · Birmingham Live

HUNDREDS of thousands of UK households are losing £1,900 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which they're owed. As many as 760,000 pensioner households were entitled to Pension Credit but did not claim it, it has emerged.

Around three in 10 people eligible for the DWP benefit Pension Credit did not claim it that financial year. This means that up to £1.5billion in available Pension Credit went unclaimed, which amounts to a loss of £1,900 per eligible household.

Under the new rules, these 760,000 people would be eligible to get the £300 winter support but would not get it this year if they did not claim Pension Credit. Joanna Elson, chief executive of Independent Age, said the latest figures are “disappointing”.

READ MORE Jay Slater investigator will reveal truth 'when time is right' but 'has got to be very careful'

She said: "Behind these statistics are real people who are worrying about whether they will be able to afford next month’s bills. Each year, our Independent Age advisers hear from thousands of older people living in financial hardship who are forced to make decisions such as whether to wash in warm water or eat fresh vegetables."

Pensioners whose weekly income is below £218.15 for a single person or £332.95 for a couple should check to see if they could be eligible. It is worth on average £3,900 a year and can also open doors to further financial help, such as housing costs, council tax, and heating bills, and the Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300.

And, pensioners who own their own home or have savings or a private pension income could still be eligible – with DWP’s online calculator able to work out how much an individual could get. Anyone who is entitled to Pension Credit for at least one day of the Winter Fuel Payment qualifying week will have automatic entitlement to Winter Fuel Payment. There are some exceptions which are detailed on GOV.UK.