“It’s there for a reason”: Oldham Liberal Democrats step up campaign on unclaimed pension credit

The Liberal Democrats have joined a growing list of charities including Independent Age and Age UK in calling on the new government to hold back on planned cuts to winter fuel payments and instead launch a campaign helping pensioners access unclaimed benefits.

Councillor Sykes said, “Across the country, take up of pension credit is as low as 63%.  In Oldham, an eye-watering £8.5 million is going unclaimed.  Oldham Council has a role to play in helping to raise awareness around unclaimed benefits.

“I urge all pensioners in Oldham Borough to look again at what they are entitled to.  It’s there for a reason.”

The Liberal Democrat Leader has written to Oldham Council bosses calling on the council to launch its own awareness campaign about unclaimed benefits. 

In his letter to Labour Leader Arooj Shah, councillor Sykes said, “The council has a duty to help residents understand their entitlements and access support.  I am writing to ask your administration to launch a campaign to improve awareness, access and uptake of unclaimed pension credit in Oldham ahead of what will be a difficult winter for many of our elderly residents, made worse by the government decision to heavily limit winter fuel support.”