Targeted benefit campaign nets pensioners £250,000
· BBC NewsFelicity Evans
Money editor, BBC Wales News
Pensioners in one part of Wales have received almost £250,000 in extra benefits after being told they were eligible for pension credit.
From this winter, most pensioners will lose the winter fuel payment unless they are receiving certain benefits such as pension credit, which is widely under-claimed.
Rachael Walker of Policy in Practice, which is working with Neath Port Talbot council to identify eligible pensioners, said it was "two to three times more effective" at increasing take up than campaigns which urge people to find out if they qualify.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said they were working with "a range of partners to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and apply" for pension credit.
Janette, 80, from Creunant in Neath Port Talbot, started claiming after hearing about it on a TV programme.
"I thought I might be eligible for that so I looked into it and I was, I don't get a lot each week but it's worth it for the other benefits you get," she said.
Her message to those who may be eligible is "go for it, you've got nothing to lose".
What is pension credit?
You may be able to claim pension credit if you are receiving the state pension and you are on a low income.
The average pension credit award is around £3,900 per year, according to the DWP.
It can open doors to other benefits like the winter fuel payment, help with rent, and free TV licences if you are over 75.
Who can claim pension credit?
You could be eligible for pension credit if you are above state pension age and have an income of less that £218.15 a week, or less than £332.95 as a joint weekly income with your partner. Savings are also taken into account.
The DWP estimates that 880,000 pensioners, external around the UK are missing out on claiming pension credit.
In Wales, an estimated £117m is being left unclaimed this year.
But asking pensioners to check their eligibility is not the most effective way to encourage take up of pension credit, according to Ms Walker.
She said local authorities had enough information to make it possible to get in touch with people who are entitled to the benefit but do not claim it.
"Local campaigns really target and identify those people who we know through data are eligible," she said.
“What we're doing with those local campaigns is taking away the mental maths and the fear that somebody might apply and be rejected."
Policy in Practice, a data analytics company, has also been working with councils in London to encourage benefits take up and the first round of the campaign led to 2,100 pensioners getting an average of £3,879 each in additional yearly income.
Neath Port Talbot council has been running its campaign since the start of 2024.
Between January and August, 73 households have gained £232,326 in annual pension credit income as well being eligible for £14,600 in winter fuel payments.
"We believe it has been a really good start, but this is only the start," said Simon Knoyle, cabinet member for social justice.
"We're hoping to find more people who are eligible who haven't claimed to date, to be able to lead them in the right direction to obtain those benefits."
How can I get help with pension credit?
With energy bills increasing next month, charity Neath Port Talbot Age Connects, which supports older people to apply for benefits, is supportive of the campaign.
"Anything that enables people to claim what they have a right to claim for is welcome," said trustee Katrin Shaw.
"People don't have anything to lose and it could make a real difference to people's lives over the winter period if they find they are eligible for pension credit."
A DWP spokesperson said: "This month we launched our Pension Credit Week of Action and joined forces with charities, broadcasters and local authorities to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and apply.
"Five weeks since the Chancellor's announcement about changes to Winter Fuel Payments, we saw a 115% increase in claims. We urge anyone who thinks they may be entitled to Pension Credit to check their eligibility now."