Living Costs are Rising but Support is Available...
Living costs are rising – did you know you, a family member, friend or neighbour could be entitled to additional income once you’ve reached pension age
Research shows that estimated £70 million of Pension Credit is currently unclaimed in Greater Manchester with around 36,000 eligible recipients not claiming. In Bury alone, there is around £4 million pension fund credit unclaimed, with over 2,000 eligible households across Bury, Whitefield, Prestwich, Radcliffe, Tottington and Ramsbottom not yet claiming.
With the cost-of-living crisis, it’s so important that older residents in Bury don’t miss out what they are entitled to, including Attendance Allowance, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit, to help meet growing household bills.
Pension credit is designed to bring the weekly income of pensioners up to a minimum amount and could make those eligible £34 a week better off on average. In addition to the extra weekly cash, Pension Credit also unlocks other financial benefits including a free TV licence for over 75's, council tax support, and money towards green home insulation.
Karen Mitchell, Greater Manchester Housing Providers’ Ageing Well Lead and Chief Executive of Southway Housing Trust, said: “For many people that bit of extra income can make a crucial difference between struggling to pay the bills and living more comfortably”.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “With so much pressure on household finances, it’s vital that older people are getting all the money they are entitled to. A third of those eligible for pension credit in Greater Manchester aren’t claiming, with many missing out on income from attendance allowance and housing benefit too. If you own your own home or have a private pension you could still be eligible, so please take a moment now and check – for yourself or your loved ones. It’s going to be another tough winter, and getting this top-up could make all the difference.”
People's Stories
Isn't it time you topped up?
You could be entitled to additional income once you’ve reached pension age? Isn’t it time you topped up?
When it comes to finance and benefits, older people are most likely to respond to one-to-one prompting from family and friends or from trusted local contacts. We’re encouraging everyone to ask their older family, friends and customers, ‘have you topped up?’.
The main reason older people don’t claim is that they don’t think they are eligible. Even if you own your own home or have a private pension you could still be entitled to additional income. Please take a moment now and check – for yourself or your loved ones.
To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline To check if you or a loved one are getting all the entitlements, contact your local social housing provider or Independent Age freephone helpline 0800 319 6789.
You can visit the Independent Age website for more information.