DWP urging a million households to claim extra £65 a week they're missing out on

Millions of households are missing out on an average weekly boost of around £65, the Department for Work and Pensions has estimated.

A huge number of people do not claim Pension Credit, because they assume they're not eligible due to having savings or owning their own home, the government department said.

The DWP is now urging people of State Pension age to check if they qualify for the "passport" benefit, which could see them receive more than £3,000 a year, The Birmingham Live reports.

It has launched two new explainer-style YouTube videos, one aimed at the individual considering making a claim, and another for family members.

The DWP has released two explainer-style YouTube videos to help people find out if they can make a claim (PA)

The DWP has also listed some of the main reasons older people may be putting off making a claim for Pension Credit along with myth busting some of the most common misconceptions people may have to encourage them to think again about applying.

DWP Minister, Laura Trott MP, explained to the House of Commons on Monday that auto-enrolment on to Pension Credit is not possible, but is keen to see take-up of the benefit increase.

Ms Trott said: “It is difficult to enrol people automatically on Pension Credit given the data the government holds. I am, however, keen to see how increased data sharing could be used to produce a larger number of claims.”

DWP highlighted a number of barriers that stop people claiming Pension Credit.

Many people don't think they're eligible because they have savings or own a property (scu)

Older people may wrongly think they are not eligible because they:

• have savings
• own their own home
• may be working
• may be getting a small occupational pension
• may have been turned down in the past

Other factors may be that they:

• do not want to be seen as needing to claim
• feel that they’re able to manage
• do not think it’s worth applying - as the amount they get will be very small
• do not recognise themselves as a Pension Credit claimant
• have not got around to it
• think it’s a complex and confusing subject
• already get other help and do not want to mess up the benefits they are getting

To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.

You can find out more about Pension Credit on GOV.UK here