A Wirral MP is urging constituents of state pension age and on a low income to check if they might be eligible for extra financial support through Pension Credit.

Margaret Greenwood is also calling on pensioners who act as carers, who are severely disabled or responsible for a child or young person to check if they might be eligible too.

According to recent research by the charity Independent Age, about 2.3 million older people are entitled to receive Pension Credit to top up their retirement income. Despite this, around three in 10 of those who qualify aren’t claiming it.

In Wirral West, the latest official figures show that 1,766 claims for Pension Credit are currently in payment. However, it is highly likely that there are people who can claim it who are not doing so and are therefore missing out.

According to the Government's website, Pension Credit can top up your weekly income to £201.05 if you are single, and it can top up your joint weekly income to £306.85 if you have a partner. 

You can check on the government’s website whether you might be eligible for Pension Credit and you can also find information there on how to make a claim here 

There is also a helpful factsheet on Pension Credit from Independent Age available here

Margaret Greenwood MP said: "It is a matter of extreme concern that around 30% of people who are of state pension age who are eligible to claim Pension Credit are not doing so.

"This is support that could make a real difference to people’s weekly income.

"Pension Credit isn’t just an end in itself; by receiving it, people also become eligible for several other benefits.

“I would urge anybody of state pension age who thinks that they might meet the eligibility criteria for Pension Credit to check to see if they do.

“I would also urge people with vulnerable family members or friends to help them to check if they might be eligible.

"This is especially important given the cost of living crisis and the steep increases in the costs of essentials such as food and energy that we have seen.

“If people need further assistance, they might wish to contact an organisation such as Citizens Advice Wirral on 0808 278 7848 or Wirral Age UK on 0151 482 3456.”

“Nobody should be missing out on the support that they are entitled to.”