Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the challenges preventing people over State Pension age from claiming means-tested social security entitlements, including Pension Credit and Housing Benefit.

Research suggests that there are a range of reasons why some pensioners don’t claim Pension Credit. These include lack of awareness and uncertainty about eligibility. Some pensioners assume that they will not be entitled because they own their own home or have modest savings or other retirement income. Some may be put off by the mistaken belief that the claim process is complex or lengthy or be hesitant to provide personal or financial information. Pensioners in rural areas may face added barriers such as having limited access to local support services, social isolation or poor digital connectivity.

Maximising Pension Credit take-up is a key Government priority. That is why we have been running the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign across Great Britain to encourage pensioners and their families to check their eligibility, dispelling some of the myths that can stop people from claiming. We are building on this with the launch of our autumn campaign and a Pension Credit week of action from 12 October. The campaign includes new advertising across television, radio, print and social media, supported by media partnerships and social media influencers. We are also distributing some 660,000 leaflets to selected households across Great Britain and we continue to work closely with partners and Local Authorities to help support the campaign. And the Department’s work bringing together the administration of pensioner Housing Benefit and Pension Credit, aims to deliver a more joined-up service and improve access to financial support, helping to ensure more pensioners receive all the benefits to which they are entitled.