There could be as much as £68 million going unclaimed in Kent, and it’s estimated that a third of those in the county who are eligible - nearly 18,000 households - are not receiving it.
KCC’s Financial Hardship Team say Pension Credit is on average worth £186 a month. However, even if you are entitled to a much smaller amount receiving Pension Credit can also open the door to other benefits, including a free TV licence, NHS dental treatment, NHS optical vouchers, housing benefit and, critically at this time, the winter fuel payment, the rules around which have changed this year.
Pension Credit is a state benefit for those who have reached the state pension age and are on the lowest income.
There are a number of eligibility requirements, but as a starting point, if you are retired and have an income of less than £218 a week as an individual or £332 a week as a couple, you could be due Pension Credit.
“This extra income would take away some of the worry and anxiety about those bills and improve the quality of life of so many older people in Kent.”
Leader of Kent County Council Roger Gough said “The Chancellor’s decision to cut winter fuel payments to around 10 million pensioners in the UK means there is every likelihood that some older people will begin to ration their fuel use and reduce their spending on essentials to manage the financial impacts.
“We are working with all our partners across the county under our Kent Together umbrella to appeal to older people, their friends and family and professionals to look again at the details around Pension Credit and seek advice from the Pension Credit Helpline about what you could be entitled to. We don’t want older people having to make the choice between eating and heating.”
Research has suggested there are various reasons why people are not claiming, from simply not being aware of Pension Credit to finding the application process challenging so they have given up on it, or they simply do not imagine they are eligible.
Additionally, some pensioners could benefit from a small drop in income to below the threshold to then gain access to Pension Credit and the additional benefits, which could then see them financially better off each month.
In recent years Kent County Council has worked with our District, Borough, and City Council partners to support them in adopting systems which enable them to identify people who may be eligible for Pension Credit but haven’t applied for this. In 2023, around 400 additional households were identified, who were then supported to complete a successful Pension Credit application, resulting in an average of £300 a month being brought into these households.
Roger Gough added “Eligible Kent pensioners could be missing out on up to an unclaimed £68 million in the county. This money could be used to ensure that people in later life and living on a low income are not skipping meals, can afford healthy food and will feel comfortable in turning the heating on during the colder months. This extra income would take away some of the worry and anxiety about those bills and improve the quality of life of so many older people in Kent.”
Spread the word – and support is available:
If you have a retired person in your world, please help and support them to see if they are eligible. That is exactly what Charlotte, KCC’s Social Media and Campaigns Coordinator, did when she heard her boyfriend’s grandad, John, say that he didn’t know how he was going to cope in the coming months.
John’s circumstances changed in every way when his partner, who he had been caring for, sadly passed away. On top of everything else that comes at moments like that, he thought he would have to go back to painting and decorating to make ends meet, at the age of 78.
Charlotte had been in a meeting about the Pension Credit campaign at work so, with new awareness and a little bit of knowledge, she decided to look into it further. She called the helpline and was able to help John to fill out the form. And the result? John was entitled to Pension Credit from the day that he applied, but also learned that he had been eligible since 2011. This has made a huge difference to his life. Charlotte said: “He was really thankful. He is not as worried about everything anymore.”
Kent’s Money Advice Hubs, located across the county, are on hand to offer support and advice on Pension Credit eligibility and applications. The service can be accessed Monday to Friday, between 9 am to 5 pm.
You can also find more information and a link to the application process on the Kent County Council website by visiting www.kent.gov.uk/pensioncredit
Digital Kent has also launched a new initiative to help people get online who might not have access to technology nor have the confidence to give it a try. It’s called Get Digital. There are free workshops and Digital Champions on hand to support. Know someone who might benefit? For more information, visit www.kent.gov.uk/getdigital
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