Many older people miss out on credit

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