As Minister for Pensions, it’s my mission to make sure pensioners are tapping into every bit of support available to them.

This Government has shown with action – not just words – that it is committed to delivering for pensioners. Maintaining our Triple Lock promise, we gave the State Pension its largest ever cash increase last year and will boost it again in April with another 8.5 per cent increase.

But too many are missing out on thousands of pounds they could be receiving each year by claiming Pension Credit. So I’m pleading with Express readers – check if you, or a loved one, could be eligible.

Securing Pension Credit right now is paramount because those who successfully apply by March 5th could land an additional £299 boost – on top of an average annual award of £3,900.

Our campaign to boost applications kicked off in these very pages in 2022 and we’ve already guided tens of thousands of new applicants to successful claims.

Pension Credit is there to safeguard wellbeing in later life. So even if you are only eligible for a single penny, Pension Credit can still unlock a range of other benefits, from assistance with housing expenses to help with council tax and heating bills.

With only 10 days remaining to secure the £299 cost of living boost, if you suspect you or a loved one might qualify, simply check our Pension Credit Calculator or give us a call on 0800 99 1234. As a general rule, if someone is of State Pension age and has a weekly income below £201.05 (for singles) or £306.85 (for couples), it’s definitely worth a look.

On my watch, we’ll always protect our pensioners – including by spreading the word about Pension Credit. Claiming could be life-changing.