£50m of pension credit unclaimed in Sussex

People aged 66 and more are eligible for pension credit

More than £51.4m of pension credit has gone unclaimed across Sussex in one year, figures show.

An estimated 20,073 people in the county who are eligible for the pension top up, which is worth an average of £2,677 a year, have not applied for it.

It also opens up a range of other benefits, including the winter fuel payment, that could be worth up to nearly £10,000.

The Government said restricting the winter fuel allowance to those claiming certain benefits was necessary to help public finances but has urged people on lower incomes to apply.

Heating on for just half an hour

June Marsh from Eastbourne, who does not qualify so will no longer receive her Winter Fuel Payment, said she will struggle to stay warm this winter.

She told BBC Sussex: “I’ll probably only be able to afford the heating on for half an hour in the morning.

"I’ve already planned how many blankets I’m going to have and how many cardigans and jumpers I’m going to need to wear during the day.

"I’ll have one light on and go to bed at a ridiculously early hour.”

Pension credit is a benefit that tops up your pension if you are on a low income.

It can add around £50 to the full state pension payment of £169.50 a week.

It also opens up extra benefits for housing, council tax support and help with mortgage interest.

Claimants also qualify for the warm home discount, lower water bills, cheaper broadband and a free TV licence as well as NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospitals.

'They don't apply because of their pride'

Tony Moore, treasurer of the Rother Seniors Forum believes older people can feel too proud to apply and claim.

He said: “They say to us ‘I’ve worked for 50 years and I have never asked for charity’. And they simply do not apply for them because of their pride.”

Jo Clarke, deputy CEO of Age UK in West Sussex, said: “Unfortunately every winter we receive those phone calls where people are making really hard decisions between heating and eating and these decisions about the Winter Fuel Payment are not helping with that”.

She encouraged to older people to reach out to authorities and charities or a friend or loved one if they are worried about money.

The deadline to apply for pension credit for this year is 21 December 2024.