Labour MP for St Helens North, Conor McGinn, is calling on older residents across the borough to check their eligibility for Pension Credit, and apply now if entitled so they do not risk missing out on an extra £650 payment to help with the rocketing cost of living.

Across the UK, around 1.4 million pensions receive Pension Credit. However, it is estimated that some 850,000 low-income households could be missing out.

It means that older people entitled, but not claiming, may be missing out on up to £3,300 of vital support per year, as well as financial help with wider payments such as Council Tax.

Eligible older people not claiming also risk missing out on an additional Cost of Living Payment of £650, announced in May and designed to help tackle rising bills.

Residents can find out if they, or their loved ones, are eligible for Pension Credit by visiting: www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim or by calling the Department for Work and Pensions on their dedicated hotline: 0800 99 1234.

To receive the additional Cost of Living payment, residents must have been eligible for Pension Credit for any day between 26 April and 25 May.

As Pension Credit applications can be backdated by three months, claims must be made by 18 August to fully meet the criteria.

Residents must also actively ask for claims to be backdated, as this will not be done automatically.

Commenting, Conor McGinn MP said:

“If our older people in St Helens Borough get or are eligible for Pension Credit, they may also be able to receive £650 worth of extra support to help tackle the rocketing cost of living.

“At a time when bills, prices and the cost of living is rapidly rising for families and pensioners, it’s vital that people know where to get existing support like this, and how to access it.

“I encourage all those across our community who are entitled to make a claim by 18 August, to ensure you get the full, proper payment as swiftly as possible.”