Marvin OnumonuThe Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is running a trial with Age UK and Independent Age, sending letters to 2,000 pensioners in England who are likely to be eligible but not claiming.
This comes after research found big gaps across regions in who gets Pension Credit, which is worth about £4,300 a year.
Between 60% and 70% of eligible pensioners in the North and London were claiming.
In the East and South, uptake was lower, about mid-50%.
The North East had the highest rate at 71%, with the South West lowest at 55%.
Pensions Minister Torsten Bell, said: “We’re committed to supporting harder-up pensioners however we can.
“Pension Credit is a simple way to give those who need it the most some extra support with bills or a free TV licence. I’d urge anyone who thinks they, or anyone they know, might be able to claim Pension Credit, to take a few minutes out of their day to check and apply.
“This country’s pensioners deserve every penny they are entitled to.”
Research found up to 760,000 households eligible for Pension Credit were not claiming it between 2023 and 2024, before the department’s biggest awareness campaign.
That campaign has led to an extra 56,700 households getting the benefit, now worth on average £83 a week.
Morgan Vine, director of policy and influencing at Independent Age, said: “We’re pleased to support this proactive UK Government trial to increase the reach of Pension Credit.
“If you’re in financial hardship, where you live shouldn’t be a factor in whether or not you receive the money you’re entitled to, but at the moment it is.
“With the continued high cost of living, the older people that we speak to cannot afford to miss out on any of the money they are eligible for.”
Vine added: “Initiatives like this trial are a positive step towards increasing the number of people receiving the financial support they are entitled to, and we urge the UK Government to continue building on this strategic approach.”
