Planned changes to the benefits system will see any backdating of Pension Credit payments reduced to three months instead of the current 12.

Sinead Campbell, SeniorLine Manager, says: 'As of 6 October this year, we will only be able to claim three months of backdated Pension Credit entitlements we identify.

'Last week one of our advisors identified £5,660 in unclaimed benefits for an older person. He will receive all of this money in a backdated payment. If the same was done after 6 October we would only be able to claim £1,415 on his behalf.

'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 backdated 12 months.'

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. Call free Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm: 0808 808 7575. 

Up to 86,000 pensioners in Northern Ireland are entitled to pension credit and still not receiving it

Up to 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, leaving them struggling to make ends meet.

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.

Find out more about SeniorLine and advice on claiming benefits