Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley is urging residents to check their eligibility for Pension Credits after it was revealed almost 850,000 families across the UK are missing out.

Ahead of the Pension Credit Week of Action, it was revealed that 2,838 households in Lanark and Hamilton East were in receipt of the support in November 2022 but many more are eligible.

Pension Credits top up the weekly income for people of state pension age to £201.05 per week for single people or £306.85 per week for couples.

People claiming Pension Credits may also be eligible for support with housing costs, council tax and a free TV licence for over 75s.

You may still be eligible for Pension Credits even if you own your own home or have savings in the bank so it is worth double checking.

Commenting, Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley said:

“I would encourage everyone in Lanark and Hamilton East who thinks they might be eligible to apply for this lifeline benefit which opens the doors to a range of other support mechanisms.

“I also can’t stress enough the difference a friend or relative can make by doing a bit of research and talking to older relatives about what help is available.

“During this cost-of-living crisis, the UK government should be doing its utmost to ensure everyone entitled to Pension Credits is receiving it.

“The Pension Credit week of action is a step in the right direction but there is still far more they could be doing to ensure uptake is as close to 100 per cent as possible.”

To find out if you are eligible, visit the online calculator on gov.uk and claims can be made online at www.gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling the freephone Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.