Up to 760,000 families missed out on DWP pension credit last year

A woman's hands holding coins
-Credit: (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)


According to the latest Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) statistics, a shocking number of up to 760,000 eligible families failed to claim their pension credit in the financial year ending 2023.

The figures do mark an improvement, however, from the previous year ending 2022, where up to 870,000 families missed out.

The government has noticed a recent uptick in pension credit claims, particularly after benefits were tied more closely to winter fuel payments.

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Notably, pension credit applications surged following the announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves restricting winter fuel payments to only those on pension credit or other means-tested benefits from July 29.

Reeves' policy change was part of attempts to address a daunting £22 billion "black hole" in public finances. This move is set to dramatically reduce the number of senior citizens receiving the winter fuel allowance—a benefit that could total £300—slashing the figure from 11.4 million down to just 1.5 million.

Although there's been a slight increase in pension credit uptake, with 65% claiming it in the year ending 2023, compared to 63% in 2022, an estimated £1.5 billion meant for pension credit still went unclaimed last year, falling from approximately £2.0 billion the year prior. These figures, highlighting a troubling gap in support, are available on the DWP website and concern households across Britain.

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