Thousands missing out on free DWP payment worth £6,319 on average

People are missing out on payments worth up to £6,319 from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ), it has been warned. A benefits check campaign from Age UK and the Rothesay Foundation has found 76% in a pilot group were not claiming benefits they were eligible for.

37 per cent of participants were missing out on Pension Credit, worth £4,910 on average, 66 per cent of people could be claiming Attendance Allowance, with the typical claim for a higher award worth £5,930, and 17 per cent were missing out on Housing Benefit, worth £6,319 on average.

Paul Farmer, CEO at Age UK, said: “To date, we’ve already helped over 4,500 older people identify their benefit entitlements, and over the next two years we hope to reach even more. From our conversations with older people, we know how life-changing this support can be.

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"Many are forced to make impossible choices between heating, eating, buying warm clothes or even getting a small Christmas gift for a loved one. Older people deserve better. We are deeply grateful to the Rothesay Foundation for its generosity and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of older people.”

James Dickson, Chairman of the Rothesay Foundation, said: “Too many older people are living in need in the UK despite being eligible and entitled to greater financial support. Through our pilot campaign with Age UK, we know that benefits like Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance can be life-changing, unlocking potentially thousands of pounds each year for those in need.”

With the Better Off calculator, through just a few simple steps you can see how much benefit you are eligible for and how much better off you might be in work. You can also see how changes in your household budget can affect your income.

You can use the calculator for free.