West Berkshire Residents Gain £1m in Support

Older residents in West Berkshire have secured nearly £1m in extra financial support after a targeted Pension Credit campaign, with more outreach planned.

Since January 2026 West Berkshire Council's campaign has helped unlock an estimated £922,000 in lifetime Pension Credit for people who weren't previously claiming what they were entitled to.

The work is part of the council's Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT) programme, which uses data to spot households missing out and connect them with the benefits they're entitled to. So far 145 households have been contacted.

That outreach has generated an estimated £72,000 extra a year, helping with everyday costs. Pension Credit can also unlock help with housing costs, council tax and energy bills, so the overall benefit is likely to be even greater.

A further round of letters has been sent as part of the LIFT programme to reach more eligible residents and encourage them to check their entitlement and apply.

"This campaign is making a real difference to older residents across West Berkshire," said Denise Gaines (Lib Dem, Hungerford and Kintbury), executive member for planning and housing.

"By using our LIFT programme to identify those families and individuals who may be missing out, we are able to target support where it is needed most.

"An example of its success was with a recent case raised with Citizens Advice, where someone came in with a Pension Credit letter and, although they were not eligible for that benefit because of their savings, the letter also mentioned Attendance Allowance.

"That was checked too, and they were able to successfully claim it."

Residents who think they may be eligible for Pension Credit are encouraged to find out more and apply by visiting the Government website or contacting the council for support.

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter