The request comes ahead of changes to the benefits system which will see any back dating of Pension Credit payments reduced to three months instead of the current 12.

Sinead Campbell, SeniorLine Manager says:

‘As of October this year, we will only be able to claim three months of back dated monies for any Pension Credit entitlements we identify.  These changes will have a knock on effect to claims for Housing Benefit, Rate Rebate and Carers Premiums etc. which are normally back dated by the same period as Pension Credit. 

‘Since April last year SeniorLine has identified and claimed £1 million of benefits on behalf of older people, money they did not know they were entitled to. There is still £168 million of benefits not being claimed. This is money that can make a big difference to some of our most vulnerable older people and we are strongly urging older people, or their carers, to call us, free, today on 0808 808 7575.  Any unclaimed benefits we identify before October will still be able to be back dated 12 months.’

'It is estimated that up to approximately 86,000 pensioners in Northern Ireland are entitled to pension credit and still not receiving it.'

The Help the Aged SeniorLine freephone advice and advocacy service can check to see if you are receiving all of the benefits you are entitled to.

You can FREEPHONE from Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm on 0808 808 7575. 

It is estimated that up to approximately 86,000 pensioners in Northern Ireland are entitled to pension credit and still not receiving it. This means that up to £168 million is denied to some of our most vulnerable older people, inevitably leaving them struggling to make ends meet and in some cases living in poverty.

Help the Aged believes that the best way to tackle this issue is to stop relying on intrusive means-tested benefits and increase the Basic State Pension to a liveable level for all as a matter of urgency.

Find out more about our Seniorline service