AFTER using available data to identify 130 additional eligible children who are now receiving free school meals, Sefton Council is turning its attention to older people, to ensure they are accessing all the support they are entitled to.

Letters will soon be dropping onto the doormats of older people in the Borough who qualify for Pension Credit advising them that they are eligible. 

Pension Credit gives people who are over State Pension age and on a low income, extra money to help with living costs. It is a means-tested benefit that, on average, provides recipients with around £4,000 a year.

As well as providing extra cash, Pension Credit can unlock access to other support such as Winter Fuel Payments, help with Council Tax, NHS dental care and, for over 75s, a free TV licence.

Using the Low Income Family Tracker data system, Sefton Council has identified hundreds of eligible pensioners in Sefton are not claiming Pension Credit.

It is writing to them to let them know and explain the simple way that people can apply either by phone or online. The letter also details support around claiming Attendance Allowance if there are certain disabilities in the household. 

To apply for Pension Credit, people need their National Insurance number and details of their income and pensions. They also have to include any money, savings and recent investments.

You can find further information on who eligible and how to apply for Pension Credit here. 

Cllr Liz Dowd, Sefton Council’s Cabinet member whose responsibilities include Welfare Rights said:- “Sefton Council is determined that local people don’t miss out on the support they are entitled to whatever their age. Following on from the success of the initial campaign, which has so far resulted in 130 additional pupils receiving free school meals and Sefton schools receiving an extra £175,000 in funding, we are now focusing on people at the other end of the age spectrum. The cash available to older people through Pension Credit can make a real difference to their lives.”

Councils can use the Low Income Family Tracker to identify and support low-income households, reduce poverty and debt and maximise benefit take-up. It uses various available sources of data to support targeted campaigns.

Cllr Dowd added:- “It’s great that we can use the Tracker to identify people in this way but there is no reason for older people to wait for us to get in touch. If you’re a pensioner and you think you may be eligible now, check it out at:- www.gov.uk/pension-credit today or if you have an older friend or relative you think might qualify, give them a hand to find out.”

You can find details of Sefton Council's successful free school meals data campaign here.