Did you know that in the UK more than 800,000 people are eligible for pension credit but not claiming it?

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over state pension age and on a low income. It is separate from your state pension and you can claim it even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

The average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,900 per year and it opens doors to other support, including the Winter Fuel Payment, which we all know is at risk for many people this year and this is causing a lot of heartache and worry.

Just think of the difference more than £4000 per year extra in your pocket would make to you.

It's not just the Winter Fuel Payment either. If you get pension credit you can also get other help, such as:

● a Council Tax discount

● a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over

● help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit

● the Warm Home Discount Scheme

At Citizens Advice York we are working alongside City of York Council to make sure no one in York who is eligible for this lifesaving benefit and not claiming it misses out. We want to help you get the maximum income you can to make life better.

Remember, you will very likely have paid into the Government Treasury your entire life through your National Insurance contributions. They are accurately named, it's insurance to make sure you get help when you need it!

So make sure you claim! We are here to help you. Just recently, we have helped 304 people claim Pension Credit. Once we know you are eligible the application takes around 20 minutes and we can help you every step of the way.

We have a special email address where you can ask for help and details of a specialist Citizens Advice York outreach near you specifically for Pension Credit claims: pctakeupclaim@cayork.org.

In addition to this, we'll be holding a Pension Credit specialist drop-in service here at West Offices, YO1 6GA every Friday in September from 9.30am to 12.30pm

We think all people over pension age should be aware that they could be eligible for this potentially lifesaving and certainly life enhancing benefit. It's one of the most underclaimed. If you think there should be more information and ease of access to Pension Credit, please contact your local councillor or MP.

You can find your local councillor here: democracy.york.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx

Your MPs contact details are:

  • York Central - Rachael Maskell, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, email: rachael.maskell.mp@parliament.uk;
  • York Outer - Luke Charters, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA, email: luke.charters.mp@parliament.uk

This is another reason that York residents have never needed us at Citizens Advice more.

Year on year, we have seen an increase of nearly 1500 clients and over 4000

more problems they have brought to us for help with.

We could not do this without your ongoing support. We thank you; we have served the community since 1967, we have seen economic and cultural shocks from wars to pandemics and have kept going to ensure no one in York is without help, support and understanding when they need it most.

About Citizens Advice York

Citizens Advice York is a small independent charity providing support and advice to York residents. Whilst City of York Council remain consistent and generous funders, we still have to raise £80,000 to £90,000 each and every year (and sometimes more!) to cover the full cost of this important service.

We could not operate without the generosity of donations to fill this gap. We are incredibly grateful of support, especially when everyone is feeling the effects of this current cost of living crisis. We know that times are hard, but if you are able to help please donate so we can keep on helping others.

You can make a one off donation or become a 'Friend of Citizens Advice York' and make a monthly subscription. You will receive a quarterly newsletter and an invitation to our AGM and annual fundraising event.

Visit www.citizensadviceyork.org.uk/donate/ to find out more.

Fiona McCulloch is chief officer of Citizens Advice York