In that eight-month period, there were 92,000 outstanding claims for financial support, while 91,000 were awarded, according to a Freedom of Information request by Quilter.
Between April 2023 and March 2024, 134,000 claims for Pension Credit were awarded and 112,000 were rejected.
Pension Credit guarantees a weekly income of £218.15 if you are single or £332.95 if you have a partner.
As well as that weekly income, there is a savings credit, which is a small top-up for people who reached the state pension age before 6 April 2016 with a modest amount of income.
Claiming Pension Credit also opens the door to other benefits, like heating cost assistance, housing benefits, dental treatment and free TV licences (if you are aged 75 or over).
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But since the Government’s decision in July, Pension Credit has become a requirement for people aged over 65 years old to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.
The new means-tested policy for the £200 cash bonus also extends to being in receipt of Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Universal Credit and income-related Employment Allowance.
The Winter Fuel Payment rises to £300 for pensioners aged over 80 years old, and those who are eligible for either payment would have begun receiving it from November.
The deadline to apply for Pension Credit is on 21 December, but thousands could miss out due to the backlog of applications.
Following the policy change – which could push thousands of pensioners into poverty next year – the Government urged those over 65 to apply for Pension Credit so they can access the cash bonus to cover energy bills.
However, there are just over 9,000 claims being processed each week, according to Government figures, and due to the increased demand, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has added 500 staff to manage the workload.
But unless the process speeds up, there could be thousands of pensioners without the financial support they are entitled to.
Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter, said: “With the last date for making a backdated claim for Pension Credit to receive the Winter Fuel Payment now just days away, it is vitally important that pensioners on low incomes check their eligibility.
“While this new data shows that a significant proportion of claimants are being denied pension credit this should not stop people applying if they think they might be eligible.”
Are you eligible for Pension Credit?
The Government has urged more pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit, which requires you to be earning:
- Less than £218.15 per week if you’re a single person
- Under £332.95 per week if you’re in a couple
You might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you are disabled and earn more, or if you care for someone.
