Pensions Minister Laura Trott joined MP Caroline Ansell for a visit to the Age Concern centre in Eastbourne to launch a campaign to increase the uptake of Pension Credit.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is writing to households in Eastbourne it believes is not claiming the benefit.
Pension Credit is worth on average £3,500. As well as a cash top up to the state pension, it also acts as a passport to other benefits such as help with housing costs, council tax reduction schemes, heating bills and a free over-75s TV licence.
Caroline and the minister met with the chief executive of Age Concern Eastbourne John Trainor and Liz Maxted, the centre manager on Monday.
They were given a tour of the Venton Centre including the nail and hair salon, the dance and exercise room and arts and crafts space.
At the cafe they met one of the centre’s trustees, councillor Colin Belsey, welfare advisor Ray Hewett and a couple of volunteers and a client who has been helped to claim pension credit by Age Concern.
“I was delighted to talk to residents at the Venton Centre this week with the minister,” said Caroline.
“My very first conversation was with a gentleman who is now set to receive two years backdated pension credit payments thanks to advice received from Age Concern.
“We have been working hard for some time now to connect local people with the support available to them through Pension Credit and the minister’s visit and the direct mail campaign to come will help us go further.”
She added: “The Venton Centre is a truly wonderful place and does brilliant work to keep people connected and promote well-being. With very good reason, the minister was impressed by all she saw.“
The minister added: “We recognise the challenges some pensioners will be facing with the cost of living which is why, alongside driving down inflation, promoting Pension Credit is a top priority.
Pension Credit take-up is at the highest level since 2010, and this trial will help us test even more ways to ensure pensioners are receiving all the support they can.
Those under pension age can also help by checking in with older loved ones and asking them to consider if they could be eligible for this extra financial support.”
Across Eastbourne, nearly 3000 residents do claim pension credit. This equates to roughly £9.5 million additional government support for the town’s pensioners.
