Bolton pensioners could be missing thousands in support: key details

Beehive Features Desk 2026-10-12 15:23 3 min read

A brass industrial plaque for Hick, Hargreaves and Co, Bolton, England.

Bolton Council is urging people of State Pension age to check whether they qualify for Pension Credit during its Week of Action, running from 12 to 16 October 2026. The benefit can be worth up to £4,300 a year per claimant, and an award may also unlock other support. People need to apply: Pension Credit is not paid automatically.

The council’s campaign is aimed at people who may have ruled themselves out because they own their home, have savings, are employed or receive a private pension. None of those circumstances automatically prevents a claim. Eligibility depends on each person’s circumstances, so checking is the way to find out whether support may be available.

Home ownership and savings do not automatically rule you out

Bolton Council says a person’s home is not taken into account when entitlement is calculated. The first £10,000 of savings is ignored; savings above that amount are assessed on a tiered basis. Pension Credit is paid in addition to the State Pension.

These rules mean that owning a home or having some savings is not, by itself, a reason to assume a person cannot qualify. They do not guarantee an award, and the council’s advice is to check rather than make that assumption. The same applies to people who are working or receive a private pension.

Why the council is urging people to check

Government estimates cited by the council suggest that 35% of eligible pensioners are not claiming their full entitlement. Across the UK, between 760,000 and 910,000 eligible households do not claim Pension Credit, leaving up to £2.5 billion unclaimed each year. In some areas, as many as half of eligible households are not claiming.

The figures describe a substantial gap between estimated eligibility and claims. They do not show whether any particular person will qualify, but they help explain why the council is asking residents and their families to check. An award may also open access to further support, potentially worth thousands of pounds more, depending on individual eligibility.

That support can include Winter Fuel Payment, Council Tax Reduction, Housing Benefit, a free TV licence for people aged 75 or over, and help with NHS charges such as dental treatment, glasses and transport. Eligibility for these forms of help can vary; a Pension Credit award does not mean every person will receive every item listed.

How to check and apply

People can check eligibility and make a claim online. Anyone who would rather speak to someone can call the Department for Work and Pensions’ free helpline on 0800 99 1234. Local cost-of-living support groups can also help people through a claim, according to the council.

Bolton Council Executive Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing Cllr Jackie Schofield urged people not to assume that home ownership or savings rule them out. She also encouraged residents to pass the information to friends or family members of State Pension age. The council’s Week of Action runs from 12 to 16 October 2026; people who think they may be eligible can check online or contact the helpline.

Source: Bolton Council News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source and checks

This service explainer follows Bolton Council’s notice and preserves its stated estimates, dates and application details.

Checks

Checked the Week of Action dates against the council notice.
Kept the household and unclaimed amount figures attributed to government estimates cited b...
Retained the savings threshold and helpline number as stated in the source.
Separated possible linked support from a guarantee of eligibility.

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