People on State Pension can quickly check eligibility for £3,500 top-up online before making new claim

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) hopes ‘Pension Credit Week of Action’, an awareness campaign which runs until Friday, June 16, will encourage more older people to claim the passport benefit worth more than £3,500 a year.The means-tested benefit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income.

Pension Credit can also provide access to a range of other benefits such as help with housing costs, Council Tax, heating bills and for those aged 75 or over, a free TV licence.

DWP said although take up of Pension Credit is at the highest level since 2010, there are still "too many people missing out" with an estimated 850,000 pensioners potentially eligible for the income boost, but not claiming.

The quickest way to check if you, or someone you know should claim, is to use the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.For those without access to the internet, or not confident using an online calculator, you can also check if you should claim by calling the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.Pension Credit tops up a person's income to a minimum of £201.05 per week for single pensioners and to £306.85 for couples or more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.Below is everything you need to know about the benefit to make a claim for yourself, a family member or friend, including how to use the Pension Credit calculator and other entitlement an award of just a few pence may provide access to.If you are over 65 and reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, you could still qualify for Pension Credit if your weekly income is less than:If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get