910,000 UK Families Not Claiming Pension Credit

Nearly 910,000 eligible families in the United Kingdom are not claiming Pension Credit, a key benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions that provides financial support to older people and unlocks additional perks such as a free TV licence, according to recent government data.

Pension Credit serves as a means-tested payment designed to ensure that individuals at or above State Pension age receive at least the minimum income the government considers necessary for basic living costs. The benefit comes in two main forms: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. To qualify for Guarantee Credit, applicants must be 66 or older and have a weekly income below the established threshold, which currently stands at £218.15 for single people and £332.95 for couples. Those who are carers, disabled, or face certain housing expenses may receive amounts exceeding the standard rates. Savings Credit, available to some recipients who have modest savings or income from pensions, tops out at £17.77 per week for singles and £19.13 for couples, calculated based on factors including assumed income from capital over £10,000.

For couples, the combined maximum weekly payment from Pension Credit averages...