Cardiff Council’s Money Advice team is urging older people in the city, to check if they are eligible to claim Pension Credit.

Pension Credit is a valuable benefit, worth £2,677 a year on average to eligible people of State Pension age. It is available to eligible claimants even if they have other income, savings or own their own home. 

Yet more than £12.3m worth of Pension Credit is unclaimed in Cardiff, with an estimated 4,300 missed claims in the city.

The Money Advice team is encouraging anyone unsure if they are eligible or not to get in touch as soon as possible. The team can check if a person is entitled to Pension Credit, as well as providing support to ensure residents aren’t missing out on any other benefits or discounts that could help to maximise their income.

Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty and Supporting Young People, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: “£12m is a huge amount of money going unclaimed in Cardiff. Claiming Pension Credit could make such a difference to so many older people in the city, so we’re doing our best to make people aware and encourage them to let us check if they can claim.”

As well as providing additional income, claiming Pension Credit also unlocks a range of other support for claimants that could mean around £10,000 per year, per person. This includes help with heating bills, housing costs, council tax bills, and TV licence.

Cllr Bradbury added: “Changes to the winter fuel payment scheme this year mean that eligible pensioners need to be claiming Pension Credit to be able to access the winter fuel payment of up to £300, so it’s crucial that people get in touch with us very soon, so the Council can help them claim the benefits they are entitled to.”

To be eligible for the Winter Fuel payment, eligible people need to make a claim for Pension Credit before December 21, 2024.

The Money Advice team is available six days a week at Central Library Hub and at outreach surgeries at community hubs across the city throughout the week. Find out when they’ll be visiting a hub near you here:https://www.cardiffmoneyadvice.co.uk/contact-us/

Contact 029 2087 1071 or email advicehub@cardiff.gov.uk