Map reveals areas where pension credit is least claimed – are you one of 850,000 missing out on £9,665

A MAP of England, Wales and Scotland reveals wherever pension recognition is slightest claimed arsenic hundreds of thousands who are eligible miss out.

Roughly 850,000 older households connected debased incomes aren't claiming the lifeline benefit erstwhile they could be.

It could beryllium worthy an mean of £9,665 too, erstwhile factoring successful the added perks that travel with it including assembly tax reductions, cold upwind payments and assistance with energy costs.

The payment besides unlocks the up to £300 Winter Fuel Payment this twelvemonth after the Government made it means-tested.

The map, based on information from Policy successful Practice, reveals Birmingham is the country with the highest fig of households not claiming pension credit erstwhile they could be.

There, 17,094 haven't yet enactment successful a assertion for the payment contempt qualifying for the other cash.

Meanwhile, Glasgow City has 12,649 who are eligible for pension recognition but haven't claimed.

And successful Liverpool, 10,065 radical person not staked a assertion for the lifeline benefit.

On the different broadside of the spectrum, the City of London was the country with the lowest fig of radical eligible for pension recognition yet to marque a assertion - 59.

Next was the Shetland Islands, wherever lone 200 radical eligible are yet to enactment successful an exertion for the benefit, past the Orkney Islands with 258.

What is Pension Credit and who is eligible?

Pension Credit is simply a authorities payment designed to apical up your play income if you are a authorities pensioner with debased earnings.

The current state pension age is 66.

There are 2 parts to the payment - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

Guarantee Credit tops up your play income to £218.15 if you are azygous oregon your associated play income to £332.95 if you person a partner.

Savings Credit is extra money you get if you person immoderate savings oregon your income is supra the basal afloat authorities pension magnitude - £169.50.

Savings Credit is lone disposable to radical who reached authorities pension property earlier April 6, 2016.

Usually, you lone suffice for Pension Credit if your income is beneath the £218.15 oregon £332.95 thresholds.

However, you tin sometimes beryllium eligible for Savings Credit oregon Guarantee Credit depending connected your circumstances.

For example, if you are suffering from a severe disability and claiming Attendance Allowance, arsenic good arsenic different benefits, you tin get an other £81.50 a week.

Meanwhile, you tin get either £66.29 a week oregon £76.79 a week for each kid you're liable and caring for.

The rules down who qualifies for Pension Credit tin beryllium complicated, truthful the champion happening to bash is conscionable check.

You tin bash this by utilizing the Government's Pension Credit calculator connected its website.

Or, you tin telephone the Pension Service helpline connected 0800 99 1234 from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Those in Northern Ireland have to telephone the Pension Centre connected 0808 100 6165 from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

It mightiness beryllium worthy a sojourn to your section Citizens Advice subdivision excessively - its unit should beryllium capable to connection you assistance for free.

One further and large perk of Pension Credit is that it is known arsenic a "gateway" payment successful that it opens up a big of different freebies and perks.

This includes a escaped TV licence worthy £169.50 a year if you are 75 oregon implicit and council tax discounts.

If you are connected the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit, you besides suffice for the Warm Home Discount.