Pension claims are up

PENSION credit claims have hit almost 75,000 amid Government efforts to boost benefits take-up.

Department for Work and Pensions figures released yesterday showed the Government received around 74,400 pension credit claims in the eight weeks since July 29, when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced means testing for the winter fuel payment.

This is up from 29,500 claims in the eight weeks before the announcement.

But in the seven days beginning on September 16, the department received 11,800 claims, down from 13,400 the week before.

Some 91.8% of claims made in the week beginning September 16 were made online.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has previously urged pensioners to check if they are eligible for the benefit, which would unlock winter fuel payments of up to £300.