Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that information relating to Pension Credit eligibility is accessible to people who are classed as being digitally excluded.

There are over 1.6 million people already claiming £5.4 billion in Pension Credit but the Government wants to ensure that all pensioners eligible can claim the Pension Credit to which they are rightly entitled.

The DWP uses a wide range of channels, in addition to www.gov.uk, to communicate information about benefits to potential claimants. We target activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension, Attendance Allowance or when they report a change in their circumstances which could result in them becoming eligible for Pension Credit. Staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres as well as DWP visiting officers are able to provide help and advice about entitlement to benefits including Pension Credit either to individuals or community groups. Staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit also provide information about Pension Credit

For general enquiries about Pension Credit, potential customers can telephone the freephone Pension Service helpline on 08007310469 and the easiest way to make a claim is via the freephone claim line 0800991234. Anyone wishing to make a claim by post can request a paper application form.

The Government wants to make sure that all older people receive the support they are entitled to and we therefore also welcome and encourage initiatives to promote take up of Pension Credit by national and local organisations who may often be the first place people turn to for information and help.