Ribble Valley MP urges older people to claim cash

Mr Nigel Evans, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, has joined Independent Age in their call to encourage those entitled to Pension Credit to claim it.

The most recent statistics show that in 2017-2018 an estimated 70% of the total amount of Pension Credit that could have been claimed was claimed. With only 6 out of 10 of those entitled to Pension Credit claiming the benefit which is designed to prevent the least well-off pensioners from entering poverty.

It is understood the amount going unclaimed in the Ribble Valley each year is estimated at £2.2m. The knock-on effects of those entitled to pension credit not receiving it are huge. Not only placing people at risk of poverty, but placing strains on the NHS and social care systems and costing the taxpayers.

In the Ribble Valley alone more than 1,196 households entitled to Pension Credit do not claim the benefit, the effect of this failure is costing the NHS and social care systems in the Ribble Valley £4.2m. per year.

Conservative MP Mr Evans, said: “I’m deeply concerned about the high number of older people in the Ribble Valley who are not receiving the Pension Credit to which they’re entitled, and I’m pleased to be backing the call to encourage those entitled to Pension Credit to claim it and urgently turn this situation around.

"The knock-on effects on the NHS and care systems are costing taxpayers £4.2m. in the Ribble Valley alone, so I encourage those entitled to Pension Credit to ensure they receive what they deserve.

“It is clear that ensuring Pension Credit is delivered to those who need it is not only the right thing to do for those pensioners, but also the right thing to do for taxpayers and our NHS and care services.”

"The low claim rate of Pension Credit in the Ribble Valley is not only placing pensioners at risk of poverty, but it is unnecessarily costing taxpayers through the strains placed on the NHS and care services. By urging those entitled to Pension Credit to receive it, pensioner poverty in the Ribble Valley can be reduced as well as helping to lessen the strains placed on the taxpayers and NHS."