Call out to claim Pension Credit

Some additional government payments to cover the rise in fuel bills will only be made to people who have applied for their benefits by 24 August 2022. It is important that anyone who thinks they may be eligible for benefits such as Pension Credit apply before this date or they could miss out on around £300 of extra help toward their fuel bills.
 
Pension Credit can help with living and with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges even a free TV Licence.  Extra help may be available for those who are carers, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
 
Pension Credit is separate from State Pension and can be claimed even if the person owns their own home, has other savings or income. Currently 12.3% of people of pensionable age in Darlington are claiming pension credit, lower than the 14.3% for the North East.

Councillor Scott Durham, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for resources said:

“Times are tough for people who are on fixed or low incomes and struggling to pay basic bills.  There is help out there and we are working with Darlington CAB to help make people aware of the help and support that is on offer.

“Many people are missing out on the benefits that they are entitled to and Pension Credit is one of the benefits that is going unclaimed in our borough. We are urging people to help older relatives to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit and make sure they don’t miss out on the vital help and support that is out there.”

Mike Robinson, manager of the BEAT team from Darlington CAB added:

“It is vitally important that we get this message out to people to claim now for benefits they are entitled to. Our team in Darlington is ready and willing to help people to claim what is rightfully theirs.

“We also offer a range of other advice and support to help people who are struggling with paying bills and debts, regardless of if they are eligible for benefits or not.”