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Pension Credit

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March - April 2026
We are contacting people who may be eligible for pension credit, based on the data we have. If you received a letter, and want to know more, please see the LIFT Campaign information on this page.

Are you missing out on Pension Credit?

Many eligible pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit. Could you or someone you know be one of them?

What Pension Credit is

Pension Credit is extra money to help with living costs. It is for people who are over the State Pension age and have low income. You could get extra money each week and it can also act as a gateway to additional types of support, such as:

Who can claim Pension Credit

You can claim Pension Credit if you are of State Pension age and are on a low income. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

When you apply for Pension Credit your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together. If your income is higher, you may still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, care for someone, or have housing costs.

View more information on Pension Credit eligibility on the GOV.UK website.

How to claim Pension Credit

Make a claim for Pension Credit on the GOV.UK website. 
You can also call 0800 99 1234

Support available if you are not eligible for Pension Credit

Visit our Money and benefits page to see if you can get help and support, or use our better-off calculator to find out which benefits you might be eligible for.

Free local help is available

If you would like to talk to someone about claiming Pension Credit or related support, please contact Age U.K. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Information and Advice team.

Phone: 0300 666 9860 (8am–7pm daily)
Email: infoandadvice@ageukcap.org.uk.

LIFT Campaign

You may have received a letter from Peterborough City Council about Pension Credit or other benefits you may be entitled to.

The council is using a government-approved data tool called Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT) to identify households who may be missing out on financial support.

This aims to help residents receive the benefits and support they are entitled to.

Many people who qualify for benefits such as Pension Credit do not realise they can claim. This campaign helps the council contact residents who may be eligible so they can check and receive support.

The Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT) is a secure data tool developed by the organisation, Policy in Practice. It brings together information from council and government systems to help councils identify households who may:

  • be eligible for benefits they are not claiming
  • be at risk of financial hardship
  • benefit from additional support or advice

The tool is used by many local authorities across the UK to help improve benefit take-up and support residents earlier.

Importantly:

  • LIFT does not give the council access to your bank account
  • It does not change your benefits
  • It is only used to identify residents who may benefit from advice or support

Many households miss out on benefits they are entitled to each year. By helping residents claim the support available to them, this campaign aims to:

  • increase household income
  • reduce financial stress
  • improve health and wellbeing
  • ensure residents receive the support they deserve.

Research shows that many pension-age households miss out on Pension Credit even though they are entitled to it. Claiming Pension Credit can increase your weekly income and may also help you access additional support, such as help with NHS costs and heating-related payments depending on your circumstances.

By writing to residents who may be eligible, the council hopes to help people check their entitlement and avoid missing out on support.

The council uses the LIFT tool in line with UK data protection law and council privacy policies.

Data is used only to:

  • identify households who may benefit from support
  • improve access to benefits and financial advice
  • help prevent residents from falling into financial hardship

Personal data is handled securely and is not shared with commercial organisations.

You can read the full privacy notice here:

https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/privacy

If you are unsure about a letter you have received, please contact the council by calling 01733 747474. Our team will be happy to confirm whether the letter is genuine.

Last updated: 09 April 2026
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