A Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd has urged pensioners on low incomes to check if they are available for pension credit.
Peredur Owen Griffiths, who represents the South Wales East region and is the party’s spokesperson for Older People, said it is believed that up to 70,000 pensioners in Wales are eligible for the top up payments but do not claim them.
There is an extra reason to lodge a claim for pension credit as a successful claim lodged before August 18th will also unlock a £650 cost-of-living payment from the UK Government.
Peredur said: “Our communities are facing extremely tough times with the economic forecast bleak and the cost-of-living crisis set to get much worse.
“It is vital that people claim the benefits they are entitled to maximise their household income.
“It is unfortunate that tens of thousands of pensioners who are eligible for pension credit payments, have yet to apply. I am urging everyone who thinks they may qualify for this money to get their application in as soon as possible because if it is lodged before August 18, it will also unlock an additional one-off payment from the UK Government to help with the cost of living.
“Pension credit can also provide access to numerous other benefits such as help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and a free tv licence for those aged 75 or over.”
Peredur added: “The Wales Government should do more to highlight the pension credit issue to those who qualify but have yet to apply. The 70,000 pensioners in Wales who are eligible but have yet to receive this cash will be living under the breadline and struggling daily.
“It also means our communities are losing millions of pounds every year. That is unfair and something needs to be done by Labour Ministers to bring that figure down.”
If you are a single pensioner and your income is less than £182.60 a week, it is likely that you will qualify for this payment. Please call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (textphone 0800 169 0133) and the application will be filled out over the phone.
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