Damien Moore MP welcomes campaign to boost take up of pension credit in Southport.

Damien Moore MP is supporting a new Conservative campaign to boost the take-up of Pension Credit in Southport as part of the Government’s commitment to help people with the cost of living.

Pension Credit is a top-up to the State Pension for the most vulnerable pensioners in the country. Those eligible receive a direct cash top-up averaging £3,300, in addition to a range of other benefits, such as help with housing costs, council tax reduction schemes, heating bills, and a free over-75s TV licence.

There are already 2,990 claimants of Pension Credit in Southport, but an estimated 25 per cent of people eligible for the extra help do not currently receive it.

This is why the Conservative Government has launched a major campaign to encourage eligible pensioners, as well as those who care for and support older people, to access the help they are entitled to.

The Department for Work and Pensions will send leaflets to 11 million pensioners, and a high-profile media day will also take place on 15th June 2022.Pension Credit can be claimed online, by telephone, and by post. Information is available at www.gov.uk/pension-credit and by calling the Freephone Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

Damien Moore, MP for Southport, said:

“Whilst it is great news that 2,990 pensioners in Southport are already receiving extra support from the Government through Pension Credit, it is concerning that there could be a further 1,000 people in our town who may be eligible for this support but don’t know that they meet the criteria.

“This support is worth £3,300 on average, which is why the Conservative Government has launched this major campaign to encourage eligible pensioners to access the help they are entitled to. I urge everybody to speak with their loved ones who may be eligible and encourage them to check, either online or over the phone.

“It is right that we do everything we can to help our pensioners at this difficult time, and I will continue speaking with Ministers to ensure that my constituents’ concerns are heard and that the support we deliver, such as Pension Credit, is taken up where possible.”