Hundreds of older residents in the borough are now receiving pension credit payments they were missing out on, thanks to action taken by Ealing Council. 

By working with its partners, the Greater London Authority and Policy in Practice (a software company specialising in social policy), the council has been able to identify households likely to be eligible for the payments and wrote to the residents to encourage them to apply. 

Since December 2022, 307 households have claimed support, unlocking more than £1.2 million a year in extra income. 

In the last year, 220 more households in the borough started claiming pension credit. That’s worth £1.33 million a year and an estimated, borough-wide, lifetime value of £14.4 million. 

These residents also received £38,800 in winter fuel payments, helping them stay warm and well over the colder months. 

What is pension credit? 

Pension credit is a payment that tops up your income once you reach state pension age. It can also unlock other support, including: 

• winter fuel payments (worth up to £300) 

• a free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over 

• cold weather payments 

• help with NHS costs such as prescriptions, dental treatment and glasses 

Help is still available 

There are still hundreds of households in the borough who may be eligible for pension credit but have not yet claimed it. The council sent a further 400 letters to pensioners in September encouraging them to apply. 

Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “Receiving pension credit can be life changing. It helps people stay warm, eat well and live with dignity. We want every eligible resident to get the support they are entitled to.” 

Check if you are eligible 

You can check if you are eligible using the government’s online pension credit calculator. Or you can call the free pension credit claim line for support and advice on 0800 99 1234.  

More support for residents 

In the last year, the council has also helped residents claim other types of financial support.  

• 143 households have claimed support through the Healthy Start scheme, worth a combined value of £11,852 per year

• 45 people have claimed Attendance Allowance, giving them a combined total of £216,580 a year which equates to an estimated lifetime value of £1.25 million

• automatically enrolling 219 children from 182 families to receive free school meals. This is worth up to £695 per child, per year and it also created an additional £500,000 government funding per year for schools in the borough

Do a quick online benefits check to make sure you are claiming everything you’re entitled to. For more information visit the Turn2Us website.