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.

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.

If the calculator shows you might be entitled, or even if you aren’t sure, then I strongly urge you to make a claim – this can be easily done online.

Or you can call the DWP Pension Credit Freephone claim line on 0800 99 1234, or apply by post.

Organisations such as Age UK or your local Citizens Advice Bureau can also help you to claim.

GUY OPPERMAN

Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion, Department for Work and Pensions