Pension Credit Advice and Support at The Word

Residents can find out more about access to Pension Credit at The Word later this month. 

South Tyneside Council's Welfare Support team and third sector partners are hosting the event to give people an easy way of finding out if they are entitled to Pension Credit and how to apply after the Government announced recently that the payment would now be means tested.

The drop in will be at The Round in The Word, Marketplace, South Shields from 10am until 1pm on Monday 14 October.

The Council has been working to ensure that as many residents as possible receive Winter Fuel Allowance this year. It is estimated that almost 3,000 older people in South Tyneside are missing out on Pension Credit by around £32 a week. This would add almost £5million to the local economy.

Cllr Ernest Gibson, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change said: "There are so many misconceptions around Pension Credit like how much you can have in the bank, owning your own home and claiming other benefits so we wanted to hold an event in a convenient location so people can get reliable information on what they're actually entitled to. So come down to The Word, have a cuppa and a chat and let's see how we can help."

Pension Credit can still be claimed if people have savings or own their own home and is a 'gateway benefit', which could open up access to other support like dental treatment, vouchers towards glasses or contact lenses and discount on water rates. Recipients may even get Housing Benefit, Warm House Discount, Cold Weather Payment and help paying rent or Council Tax. Anyone over 75 also qualifies for a free TV licence.

Although the deadline for Pension Credit application to qualify for Winter Fuel Allowance has passed, residents can claim until 21 December and have it backdated by three months to still receive winter fuel payments.

Councillor Paul Dean, Lead Member for the Voluntary Sector, Partnerships and Equalities, said: "Since April 2023, our efforts to promote pension credit have resulted in over £838,000 being claimed by residents who are eligible, but it is estimated that there is still around 3,000 people in South Tyneside not claiming and we want to ensure every single person gets the money that is due to them.

"More than a third of people who qualify for Pension Credit aren't receiving it - and you could be getting thousands of pounds extra a year. Even if you're not entitled to Pension Credit our advisors and third sector partners will be on hand with advice and information about other services or benefits available to you."

Services will provide additional support around energy costs, community shops, fire safety information, Welcoming Places and general cost-of-living advice.

South Tyneside Council is working to open dialogue with Government and has been in contact with other authorities regionally to determine what more can be done to support residents and increase uptake of Pension Credit.

To check eligibility for Pension Credit, residents can also visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit or call 0800 991 234.

For wider support on finances and the cost of living, residents can access a range of support and resources at; www.southtyneside.gov.uk/costofliving