The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it is contacting Pension Credit claimants as part of new case reviews into the benefit, which is claimed by over 1.3 million people. Some claimants will be asked to provide additional information, such as recent bank statements, to ensure they are receiving the correct amount.
In a statement, the DWP said: "DWP has started contacting selected customers as part of Pension Credit case reviews to help make sure they are receiving the correct amount of Pension Credit." The department added: "As part of the reviews, some customers may be asked for additional information, such as recent bank statements. Being selected for a review does not mean the customer has done anything wrong."
Why the DWP is carrying out these reviews
The reviews come amid ongoing awareness campaigns under the Labour Party government to encourage more pensioners to claim Pension Credit, which has been at the centre of such efforts in recent years. The DWP has strived to raise awareness of the benefit amid the cost of living crisis, as government officials and DWP leaders remain concerned over the impact of macroeconomic factors like the war in Ukraine and the war in Iran.
The department is trying to encourage more pensioners to claim the benefit, amid fears that hundreds of thousands who are eligible are not bothering to do so. The new case reviews are part of this broader effort, with the DWP now getting in touch with people who already claim Pension Credit.
What claimants should expect
The DWP has stated that it aims to treat claimants "fairly and sensitively" throughout the review process. If a review finds that someone's Pension Credit award needs to change, the department said it will explain the outcome and what happens next for claimants.
One claimant who received a letter shared their experience on the Benefits and Work forum. They wrote: "I have been in receipt of state pension, topped up with PC for self and husband, for 12 years. Husband (I'm his carer) gets higher rate PP for severe mental illness. I don't know why I have been called in, as have just been on benefit for years. Husband, much younger, cannot get his state pension until next March. It was me who went out to work. Why bother old people?"
Another forum user replied: "I'm afraid it's impossible to say why you have been called in but the DWP have been reviewing a lot of PC claims because the claimants have not declared their income properly, this does not seem to be applicable to you but you may have been caught up in it. There should be an advisor named in the letter you can ring them for an explanation."
Impact on claimants
The DWP's statement reassures claimants that being selected for a review does not imply any wrongdoing. However, the process may require some to submit recent bank statements or other documentation to verify their circumstances. The department has committed to explaining any changes to awards and outlining the next steps for those affected.
For the over 1.3 million people currently claiming Pension Credit, these reviews represent a routine check on entitlement, but they have raised questions among some recipients about why they have been selected. The DWP advises that any claimant with concerns should contact the advisor named in their letter for further explanation.
