Stephen Morgan MP has today launched a campaign to raise awareness of Pension Credit, writing to constituents of state pension age in the city, to ensure those who are eligible apply for Pension Credit to top up their income.
With pensioners on low incomes predicted to be hit the hardest by the continued cost spiral approaching winter, Mr Morgan is taking action alongside local charities and community groups to make sure those eligible are accessing the benefits available to them.
It comes as the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit Portsmouth people, with a record number of residents claiming universal credit up from 7% last year. Recent research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation revealed that across the country an additional 200,000 pensioners were pushed into poverty last year.
Pension Credit gives a claimant extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. Additional money may be available to claimants if they are a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child.
More than three million households across the country are eligible for Pension Credit, but it is estimated that over 800,000 don’t claim – in many cases because they don’t realise they could be entitled to it.
The latest action comes following the city MP meeting with the Portsmouth Pensioners’ Association with Mr Morgan calling on constituents to urgently check if they qualify for Pension Credit or lend their support to someone who may qualify instead.
Launching the awareness raising campaign, Portsmouth South’s Stephen Morgan MP, said:
“Pensioners in Portsmouth should never be faced with a choice of eating or heating their homes, yet they are set to be disproportionately impacted by financial hardship this winter.
Instead of offering solutions, Ministers have failed to drive the uptake of pension credit, repeatedly refused to be clear about the future of the state pension and offered pensioners no credible sign that they can fix the problem they have created.
That’s why I am acting where the Government has not – working with others to drive the take up of Pension Credit and ensure all those eligible in Portsmouth are accessing the benefits available to them”.
To check eligibility or make a claim anyone can contact the freephone line on 0800 99 1234 or visit https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit.
Mr Morgan will continue to stand up for Portsmouth pensioners, raising concerns in Parliament regarding the cost of living and energy crisis, regularly meeting with local charities and community groups and working closely with Solent WASPI to raise awareness of the women against state pension inequality campaign.
