DWP to launch an ‘Invitation to Claim’ initiative this summer to encourage take-up of pension credit

Trial will see potentially eligible households who receive housing benefit across 10 local authorities in Britain being sent letters encouraging them to apply for the benefit

The DWP is planning to launch an 'Invitation to Claim' initiative to encourage take-up of pension credit.

As part of a 'Week of Action' running from 12 to 16 June 2023 – and in response to the fact that up to an estimated 850,000 eligible households are not claiming pension credit, with up to £1.7 billion going unclaimed – the DWP says it is 'joining forces' with charities and broadcasters to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and apply for the benefit.

In addition, the DWP says that it will be launching an 'Invitation to Claim' this summer, in which potentially eligible households in receipt of housing benefit will be sent letters encouraging them to apply. In order to ensure a representative sample of urban, rural, regional and national areas, the DWP has selected ten local areas to run the trial in –

• Eastbourne;
• Teignbridge;
• Pendle;
• Charnwood;
• Vale of White Horse;
• Redcar and Cleveland;
• Craven;
• Harrow;
• Powys; and
• West Lothian.

Minister for Pensions Laura Trott said today –

'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 priority.'

For more information, see Government Minister urges pensioners to check eligibility for Pension Credit as Week of Action kicks off from gov.uk