Older people have until Thursday 18th August to put in a claim for Pension Credit in order to qualify for the government’s £650 cost-of-living payment. Age UK Somerset is urging all older people who are struggling to make ends meet and who are not already in receipt of Pension Credit to put in a claim without delay, so they don’t risk missing out.

Announced as part of a support package in May, the government’s Cost of Living Payment will be paid to those in receipt of Pension Credit (and other qualifying benefits) in two lump sums of £326 and £324 – the first will be paid automatically between mid-end July and the second will be paid in the autumn.

To be eligible for the first lump sum, older people must have been entitled to a Pension Credit payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) in the period 26 April – 25 May 2022. Because a successful application for Pension Credit can be backdated by three months, those who begin the claiming process before 18th August are guaranteed to meet the eligibility criteria.

That’s why Age UK Somerset is stepping up its call for people to put in a claim for this essential benefit. As well providing a much-needed income boost and automatically qualifying them for the government’s Cost of Living Payment, Pension Credit also opens the door to a wide range of additional support. But a third of pensioners eligible to claim Pension Credit are still missing out. 

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “It’s not too late – there is still a window of opportunity for older people on low incomes to qualify for the first part of the government’s £650 cost-of-living payment this year, so we urge people to claim without delay, so they don’t miss out.

Age UK Somerset advice team are available on 01823 345613. To make a claim for Pension Credit, call the DWP Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/pen sion-credit/how-to-claim.