Martin Lewis urges 800,000 state pensioners to come forward for £3,900

Martin Lewis has issued a Pension Credit warning to 800,000 state pensioners over the underclaimed Departmentr for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) benefit. The ITV The Martin Lewis Money Show issued a Pension Creidt appeal to viewers as he aired his hour-long Budget special.

Mr Lewis issued a plea to the nation as he hit out at Chancellor Rachel Reeves over the Labour Party government decision to axe £300 Winter Fuel Payments for state pensioners. Mr Lewis warned 800,000 people are not claiming pension credit, even though they are entitled. Pension Credit can be worth £3,900.

The Money Saving Expert founder said: “I just want to say, because the government is not doing anything, if you know someone on the state pension on a very low income, they’ve lost the cost of living payment, they’ve lost winter fuel payment, please get them to check if they are eligible for pension credit.

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“More should have been done, it isn’t being done, get them to check." Mr Lewis went on, saying: “We collectively need to act on it.” Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has been vigorously urging the elderly to check if they qualify for Pension Credit, which could also entitle them to Winter Fuel Payments.

During the DWP's Pension Credit Week of Action, Ms Kendall stated: "It's easier than ever to check if you are eligible, including with our online calculator, and if your circumstances have changed since the last time you looked I urge you to check again."

She also shed light on a pressing concern, remarking: "Thousands of pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit worth on average £3,900 per year. That needs to change." It's important to note that successful new applicants who got their paperwork in before December 21 will get a backdated Winter Fuel Payment.

This will range from between £100 and £300.