{
  "id": 14448292,
  "title": "UK pensioners told to check support worth £4,500 a year as new campaign launches",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/uk-pensioners-told-to-check-support-worth-4-500-a-year-as-new",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T12:40:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euro Weekly News",
    "slug": "euro-weekly-news",
    "url": "https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/10/14/uk-pensioners-told-to-check-support-worth-4500-a-year-as-new-campaign-launches/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new campaign has launched in the UK to encourage pensioners to claim Pension Credit, a top-up for those on low incomes worth more than £4,500 a year on average. Despite its value, many eligible pensioners are unaware they can receive this benefit. To combat this, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has distributed over 660,000 leaflets in seven areas with large numbers of low-income pensioners, including Glasgow, Powys, Stockton-on-Tees, inland Cornwall, Birmingham, East Suffolk, and Manchester. The campaign also runs on TV, radio, social media, and even ITV's The Chase, challenging the common belief that pensioners cannot claim Pension Credit if they own their home or have other income and savings. Pension Credit can top up a single person's weekly income to £238 (€282) or a couple's to £363.25 (€430), and it is available to anyone over State Pension age living in England, Scotland, or Wales, as long as their savings are £10,000 (€11,830) or less. The campaign aims to inform pensioners that they may be eligible for additional support, such as a free TV license for those aged 75 or over, Council Tax Reduction, Cold Weather Payments, and help with mortgage interest for homeowners. Eligibility also extends to those who are disabled, care for someone, or have higher housing costs. Despite the campaign's efforts, Independent Age estimates that over a million eligible pensioners did not receive Pension Credit in 2023/24, leaving £2.5 billion (€2.96 billion) unclaimed. Pensioners can claim online or by phone, and family members can assist with the process, even from abroad like Spain. However, Pension Credit is only available to those living in Great Britain, and pensioners must notify the Pension Service if they plan to travel abroad for more than four weeks, with exceptions for specific situations.",
  "summary": "Hundreds of thousands of UK pensioners are about to find a leaflet on the doormat telling them they could be […]",
  "key_points": [
    "New UK campaign launched to promote Pension Credit eligibility for pensioners.",
    "Campaign distributes 660,000 leaflets in seven high-need areas, including Glasgow and Manchester.",
    "Pension Credit can boost weekly income to £238 for single pensioners or £363.25 for couples."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}