Over 3,700 eligible residents are being encouraged to claim pension credits to support their bills this winter with many set to struggle with energy costs.
The vast number of residents not claiming pension credits ahead of this winter has led to Salford City Council urging residents who are eligible to claim pension credits, with the Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett sharing that “around £8.6 million in pension credits goes unclaimed.”
The council will be sending letters to people of pension age to apply in the coming weeks, as they hope to support those suffering with the cost-of-living-crisis this winter.
And with energy bills rising throughout this period, Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett has been leading a campaign to encourage those who have signed up, to do so be for the 21 December.
Salford Mayor, Paul Dennett shared the importance of claiming pension credit, as he said: “We want to help people of pensioner age in Salford with their bills this winter.
“At the moment, in Salford, we know around 26,000 households are currently receiving the winter fuel payment.
“That’s estimated to be about 6.5 million pounds coming into the city of Salford.”
The Salford Mayor continued to state the importance for those who are eligible to sign up, as he said: “The immediate challenge for us in Salford is, how do we get the 3,700 people who are eligible for pension credits but not currently claiming into the system before the 21 December deadline.”
As the deadline fast approaches, he continued to comment on the wider issue for those not claiming the eligible funds, as he said: “In the medium to long term, I think when you look at pension credits, attendance allowance, carers allowance.
“There’s £367 million not coming into Greater Manchester at the moment, across those three domains of welfare.
“Back in February of this year, I put around £400,000 over three years to do a pension credit drive,” he continued: “We know we’ve supported pensioners to bring in £1.6 million into the city of Salford.
“So you can achieve a lot with a relatively small amount of money.”
Thank you colleagues & partners for coming together this morning @SalfordCouncil to support our Emergency City Leaders Cost of Living Meeting, especially to discuss our collective endeavours to support our elderly & vulnerable residents claiming Pension Credit by 21st December.❤️ pic.twitter.com/Cy7W8MnDdc
— SalfordMayor (@salford_mayor) October 2, 2024
He added: “We are recognised as being the 18th poorest in the country.
“So all of that is what today has been about, but fundamentally, it’s about our anti poverty work, tackling inequality and getting people to work together to serve the people of Salford.”
The support that the council have implemented will look to support those in financial need amongst the cost-of-living crisis, and will hope to have a positive effect as bills increase.
As Paul Dennett continued: “Salford residents’ and families’ health and wellbeing, including their financial wellbeing is very important to us.
“We will continue to do everything possible to tackle poverty in Salford and as part of this work.”
And for those wishing to sign up to receive pension credits this winter, claims can be made here, but must be made before December 21.
Payments for pension credit can be backdated a maximum of three months or to when a person became eligible.
You can make a claim over the phone or online, or a family or friend can help.
Information and links to support with applying can be found here.
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