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One in 10 older people not receiving pension credit have no intention of applying for it.

A government study found that the most common reason for not claiming the benefit was perceived ineligibility, but that understanding of the rules was low.

But about one-third of non-recipients said receiving practical help, such as a phone call or a visit, would encourage them to apply.

Providing a year's worth of entitlement in a lump sum also proved a popular idea - 36 per cent of non-recipients said they would apply if it were paid in this way.

The survey for the Department for Work and Pensions covered 1,900 non-recipients of pension credit who were likely to be entitled.

• Encouraging Take-up: Awareness of and Attitudes to Pension Credit from www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2005-2006/rrep234.pdf