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<p>Estimates for Pension Credit take-up are only available at the Great Britain level.
The latest statistics are in the publication: Income-related benefits: estimates of
take-up: financial year 2019 to 2020 - GOV.UK (<a href="http://www.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a>)</p><p>Pension
Credit provides vital financial support to pensioners on a low income and we want
all those who are eligible to claim it. That’s why the Department launched a £1.2m
nationwide communications campaign in April to raise awareness of Pension Credit and
increase take-up. The campaign included:</p><ul><li>Promotion of Pension Credit on
social media, via internet search engines and sponsored advertising on targeted websites
that pensioners, their friends and family are likely to visit;</li><li>Information
screens in Post Offices and GP surgeries across GB;</li><li>Advertising in regional
and national newspapers and on national and local broadcast radio;</li><li>Advertising
on the sides of buses, interior bus panels and digital street displays;</li><li>Leaflets
and posters in Jobcentres, as well as digital versions which could be used by stakeholders
and partners across local communities;</li><li>Engagement with Local Authorities nationwide
through the Government Communication Service local network and promotional materials
to enable them to support the campaign; and</li><li>In June, we held a second Pension
Credit awareness media ‘day of action’ working in close collaboration with broadcasters,
newspapers and other partners such as Age UK, Independent Age and the private sector
to reach out to pensioners to promote Pension Credit through their channels.</li><li>An
updated digital toolkit with information and resources that any stakeholder can use
to help promote Pension Credit.</li></ul><p> </p><p>This month we’re undertaking a
further burst of communications activity, including press and radio advertising and
social media focusing on highlighting to pensioners that if they apply for Pension
Credit by 18 December, it will not be too late to qualify for a £324 Cost of Living
Payment – subject to Pension Credit backdating rules.</p><p> </p><p>On 7 December,
around 40 MPs attended a Pension Credit event at Portcullis House which I hosted.
I was pleased to hear about the work that a number of MPs are already doing to help
their constituents make a claim and also that others pledged to help promote Pension
Credit ahead of 18 December.</p><p> </p><p>In the new year, DWP will again write to
over 11 million pensioners as part of the annual uprating of State Pension. The accompanying
leaflet has been updated to include the prominent campaign messaging promoting Pension
Credit.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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