Salford City Council is running a campaign to urge people of pension age in the city to apply for pension credit by 21 December, so they can get help with their bills.
This is because people who receive pension credit are able to have the winter fuel payment as well as other benefits.
To be eligible for the winter fuel payment a claim for pension credit must be made by 21 December.
The council is sending letters to encourage people to apply who are of a pension age, and who its records show aren’t receiving pension credit. There could also be other people who are also entitled to pension credit.
Any amount of pension credit can allow people to receive benefits such as: winter fuel payment, warm homes discount, free TV licence if aged over 75 and more housing benefit and council tax reduction.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “We will continue to do everything possible to tackle poverty in Salford and as part of this work, we want to help people of pensioner age in Salford with their bills this winter. We estimate around £8.6m in pension credit goes unclaimed in Salford, and so we urge older people to act now and apply for pension credits to ensure they don’t miss out on more help.
“We are trying to get information out as widely as possible because it’s really important we do everything we can to support vulnerable people. Help with applying is available through our welfare rights and debt advice service. Salford residents’ and families’ health and wellbeing, including their financial wellbeing is very important to us. We work with many charities and organisations and provide funding for Salford Citizens Advice as well as working with Salford’s Credit Union.”
Payments for pension credit can be backdated a maximum of three months or to when a person became eligible, whichever is closest.
Claims can be made by phone or online, and a family or a trusted friend can help.
Pension credit claims can be made online at: https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim
Information and links to support with applying can be found at: www.salford.gov.uk/pensioncredits
There is a range of support to apply for pension credit:
If older people need more support or don’t know someone who can help them, they can call the pension credit claims phone line: 0800 99 1234 or textphone: 0800 169 0133.
Relay UK offers help to people with hearing and speech difficulties with communicating with anyone over the phone at: www.relayuk.bt.com Dial 18001 then 0800 99 1234.
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service offers support for those who have a computer at https://connect.interpreterslive.co.uk/vrs?ilc=DWP
To find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oELNMfAvDxw
If someone can’t claim by phone or online, or they need extra support or confidential advice about pension aged benefits including pension credit, they should call the Welfare Rights Advice Line, which is available: Monday to Friday, 10am to 12noon on 0800 345 7375.
Referrals to the Welfare Rights and Debt Advice service can be made online at: www.salford.gov.uk/welfarerights
Salford Media along with our good friends at Salford Loaves and Fishes will have advisors and help available for pensioners attending our upcoming VIP OAP Christmas Party at Eccles Town Hall this coming December.
