Hundreds of older people are missing out on benefits worth more than £1.5m

Pension Credit worth more than £1.5million is going unclaimed in Tower Hamlets, which could provide vital help for older people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.  

Council data has revealed 448 low-income households are missing out on the benefit, which is worth on average over £3,500 per year and it can open doors to other benefits such as support with housing costs, Council Tax and heating bills.  

The council will be holding a drop-in benefit check session on Thursday 27 July at the Residents’ Hub based at the Town Hall in Whitechapel from 10am till noon.  

Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: 

“As the cost-of-living crisis shows no sign of slowing down and is pushing households to the brink financially, it is important to know what support is out there and to make sure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to.  

“Pension credit can make a real difference and could be worth an extra £3,500 a year.  Please check if you or your loved ones can claim for this extra support.” 

Cllr Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living added: 

“All too often many people don’t realise what support and benefits they are entitled to, which is why we are holding a drop-in benefit check session where you can speak to an adviser and find out what help you can get.” 

“You can also use our benefits calculator on our Cost-of-Living Help webpage to see if you are missing out on any benefits.” 

If you can’t make the drop-in session, you can claim for Pension Credit yourself by ringing the Pension Credit Claim Line on 0800 99 1234 or by visiting gov.uk/pension-credit. You will need to have the following information ready:  

• National Insurance number  

• Information about your income, savings and investments 

• Bank account details  

Visit our Cost of Living Help webpages to see what advice and support is on offer, including: 

• A benefit calculator to tell you what benefits you are entitled to 

• Information on council grants and government grants available to you 

• Details of advice and support groups 

• Health and wellbeing advice 

• Details of local food banks and how to access them 

• Tips on budgeting and cutting down costs 

For anyone without internet access at home, Tower Hamlets has four Idea Stores and two libraries which all provide free internet access where you can view the webpage.