The UK has never paid our pensioners more.

Around 1.5 million pensioners across Great Britain do receive the extra help from Pension Credit– a top up to their retirement incomes, which crucially offers a springboard to a variety of other bits of financial support, like a free TV licence, housing support, and more.

But here is the problem. There are still hundreds of thousands of pensioners who might be eligible for Pension Credit but simply are not claiming. They are missing out on this extra boost, which last year was worth, on average, around £64 a week.

I’m particularly thrilled to have worked alongside Len Goodman and Rustie Lee to encourage people to apply for Pension Credit and using their profile to reach those who may in the past have been reticent about claiming it.

Pensioners whose income is below £177.10 (for individuals) or £270.30 (for couples) per week may be eligible to receive Pension Credit. And if your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, or you have particular housing costs.

Anyone can use the Department for Work and Pension’s free online Pension Credit calculator to check eligibility and get an estimate of what they might receive. You can call the DWP Pension Credit Freephone claim line on 0800 99 1234, or apply by post.

Guy Opperman, Minister for Pensions, Department for Work and Pensions