Retirees are being urged to apply for pension credit in the next 12 days to qualify for a £300 top-up. and have recruited ex-football manager Harry Redknapp in its advertising blitz.
Pension credit is a benefit that tops up weekly income for poorer state pensioners to a minimum of £201.05 for single people and £306.85 for couples.
Almost 1.4million pensioners get pension credit – which also unlocks other benefits – but unlike the state pension it has to be applied for.
Around 800,000 more people could qualify but have not made an application.
In credit: Pension credit is designed to give low-income retirees a helping hand with finances
Now the DWP has recruited former football manager turned pundit Harry Redknapp in a bid to encourage more retirees to sign up.
In a DWP video, he leans out of a car window to give an interview – a nod to famous clips of him doing the same in his managerial career on transfer deadline days for signing new players.
Redknapp said: ‘It’s always an exciting time of the season – I would just say to anyone, check in with your mum, dad, nan, or grandad. This could be a brilliant signing.’
Those that apply for pension credit now can get a £300 government cost of living payment, but only if they apply by 10 December.
There is no deadline to claim pension credit – worth around £4,000 a year – which can be claimed at any point in the year.
However, there is a deadline to be eligible to get the latest cost of living payment.
Normally, recipients of this £300 payment need to have claimed a qualifying benefit such as pension credit between 18 August and 17 September.
But because pension credit claims can be backdated by three months, successful claimants will qualify for the extra £300 if they get a claim in by 10 December.
Paul Maynard, Minister for Pensions, said: ‘We want every pensioner to receive all they help they can and with time ticking down to deadline day and the window drawing to a close, now’s the perfect time to make sure you or your loved ones aren’t missing out on this vital support.
‘In many cases, it’s an open goal to more money in your pocket.’
Other perks of applying for pension credit include help with housing costs, heating, council tax, TV licences and other bills.
There were 118,200 pension credit claims processed between April and September this year, the DWP said.
However, nearly 40 per cent have been unsuccessful.
Common reasons for claims being thrown out include having too much income, not being a UK resident, failure to provide all requested information, not claiming on time or not being the right age.
How to apply for pension credit
You can apply yourself by phone on 0800 99 1234, do it on a government website or get a form to do it by post.
A friend or family member can apply on behalf of an elderly person.
Charity Age UK is urging every older person struggling with bills, or friends and family who are concerned about them, to contact its helpline on 0800 169 65 65.
This is open every day of the year between 8am and 7pm, or you can visit Age UK’s help page here.
Age UK staff will check you are getting everything you are entitled to, including pension credit.
Age UK also has a free, anonymous benefits calculator which can provide an estimate of what you could be entitled to if you want to find out this information privately.
