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DWP posts 660,000 leaflets to pensioners as 910,000 miss out on £4,500-a-year Pension Credit boost

The DWP sign, whose Pension Credit Week of Action leaflet campaign is targeting 910,000 pensioners missing out on an average £4,500 a year.
The DWP sign, whose Pension Credit Week of Action leaflet campaign is targeting 910,000 pensioners missing out on an average £4,500 a year.

Nearly one million pensioners are failing to claim Pension Credit despite being entitled to it, with the average unclaimed sum worth more than £4,500 a year. The DWP has launched a new leaflet campaign targeting 660,000 households across seven areas — Glasgow, Powys, Stockton-on-Tees, inland Cornwall, Birmingham, East Suffolk and Manchester — to drive up take-up among the country's most financially vulnerable retirees. Pension Minister Torsten Bell said the credit can also unlock free TV licences, council tax reductions and help with other everyday costs.

Around 1.4 million households already receive Pension Credit, which tops up weekly income to £238 for singles and £363.25 for couples.

Many are put off applying by the myth that homeowners or those with savings cannot qualify — the DWP's leaflets explicitly aim to bust that misconception.

Last year's awareness campaign generated an extra 33,500 applications — the DWP is now building on that with print, TV, radio and social media advertising alongside the leaflet drop.

MoreGB NewsDWP reaching out to over 600,000 households as pensioners could be missing out on £4,500 boostThe IndependentThousands of pensioners could be missing out on £4,500 a year. Here’s whyDaily ExpressDWP to send letters to 660,000 state pensioners about £4,500 income boostAOL.co.ukDWP to send letters to 660,000 Brits about 'vital' £4,500 income boost - AOL.co.ukGlasgow TimesGlasgow pensioners urged to check Pension Credit as thousands could be missed - Glasgow Times
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