Pension Credit - Campaign Launch, Bargoed

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 2nd Oct 2003

Visiting the Rhymney Valley Young at Heart Club Mike German launched a campaign urging local pensioners to apply for the Pension Credit.

The Government estimates that approximately one quarter of elderly people will not claim it.

Mr German joked with staff and club members and launched the British Gas Help the Aged Partnership's new benefits advice leaflet, "Can You Claim It?"

Mike German said, "Pensioners who are entitled to the new Pension Credit must claim it. The Government has said that it expects that one million pensioners across the UK will fail to claim. Thousands of the poorest welsh pensioners may not get the cash due to them."

• Pension Credit will also give extra money to pensioners with small amounts of saving and private pensions.

• Pensioners are able to apply for it now.

Llio Penri of Help the Aged said, "We encourage pensioners to be proactive - they need to enquire about their eligibility so that they can start receiving the Pension Credit as soon as possible."

Local people can ring the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 for further information or write to Mr German's Pontypool office.