Pensioners receiving more money under new Credit scheme

A new report today showed that 1.83 million pensioner households are getting more money through Pension Credit than was the case under the old Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) system.

The report, 'A review of the campaign to May 2004', published by the Department for Work and Pensions, revealed that 270,000 households that were eligible for MIG but did not take up their entitlement, are now claiming Pension Credit.

More pensioners are receiving more money than they ever did before. For example, by March 2004 over 630,000 households were receiving between £20 and £30 each week, an increase of 74% on MIG levels. The 1.83 million households now gaining through Pension Credit are better off by £15.41 a week.

Welcoming the report, Pensions Minister, Malcolm Wicks, said: "This report shows what Pension Credit is all about: Helping the poorest pensioners.

"We are now delivering significant help to those poorer pensioners who for decades have been ignored. The extra money that Pension Credit represents each week is significant with the average weekly payment for May at £42.42. This is the sort of vital help that will be missed out on if Pension Credit were to be scrapped."

Today's report provides an analysis of how much pensioners have benefited through Pension Credit as well as customers' experience of the application line, the application procedure and the marketing campaign. Successful claims can be backdated to October 2003 or to the date of entitlement if that is later.

Pension Credit replaced the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) and has been payable since October 6th 2003. Applications can be made via the freephone Pension Credit application line on 0800 99 1234.

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