Millions of pensioners in the UK are missing out on thousands of pounds in support.

According to The Sun: Thousands of pensioners may be missing out on additional financial support, which can amount to thousands of pounds annually.

More than a million pensioners in the UK have not claimed the tax-free benefits available to those with long-term illnesses or disabilities.

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Many eligible for this benefit simply do not know they can apply, and billions of pounds in unclaimed payments are left each year.

About 700,000 pensioners who qualify for pension credit do not apply for this support, which takes their income into account.

Pension credit can increase weekly income and open access to valuable benefits such as free TV licenses or cold weather payments.

Given the rising cost of living, it's important for pensioners to check their entitlement and apply for additional funds they may be eligible for.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance provides financial support for pensioners with long-term physical or mental disabilities.

Payments come in two rates, depending on the level of required assistance.

You can receive £73.90 or £110.40 per week, depending on the severity of your disability.

Those receiving the lower amount get £3,842 per year, while those receiving the higher amount get £5,740.80.

To receive Attendance Allowance, you must reach state pension age (66 years) and meet the following criteria:

• Have a physical or mental disability, or both
• Your disability is severe enough that you need help with personal care
• Need such help for at least six months (unless you are terminally ill)

There are 56 categories of medical conditions for which you can apply, including cardiovascular diseases, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes.

When applying, you will need important documents, including your national insurance number and details of your disability or health condition for which you need additional help.

You also need to provide the name of the hospital or care home if you reside there.

You can apply for Attendance Allowance online or by mail.

If applying by mail, print the form and send it to Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance.

Details about the form are available here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/attendance-allowance-claim-form.

If you need assistance, call the Attendance Allowance helpline at0800 731 0122 or 0800 731 0317.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit provides additional funds to cover living costs if you are over 66 years old and have a low income.

You may also receive extra help if you are a carer, seriously ill, or responsible for a child or young person.

This credit increases your weekly income from the state pension to £227.10 for single pensioners or £346.60 if you have a partner.

This is known as the 'guarantee credit'.

If your income is below these amounts, you are likely eligible for this benefit.

However, even if your income is slightly higher, you may still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, care for someone, or have housing costs.

You can receive an additional £82.90 per week if you have a disability or receive one of the following payments:

• Attendance Allowance
• The middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• The daily living component of Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• The daily living component of Adult Disability Payments (ADP) at standard or enhanced rates.

You may also receive some 'savings credit' if both of the following apply:

• You reached state pension age before April 6, 2016
• You have saved some money for retirement, such as through a personal or workplace pension

This part of the Pension Credit is £17.30 for single people or £19.36 for couples.

Applications for Pension Credit also open access to many free services and discounts.

For example, Pension Credit applicants over 75 years old are entitled to a free television license worth up to £174.50 per year.

They can also receive cold weather payments of £25 per week and a £150 warm homes discount.

We have prepared a guide with all the benefits and discounts related to the state pension that you can receive.

How to apply for Pension Credit?

You can start your application four months before reaching the state pension age.

Pension Credit applications can be made on the government website or by calling the Pension Credit helpline at 0800 99 1234.

You can ask a friend or family member to call for you, but you must be on the line with them during the call.

You will need the following information about yourself and your partner, if any:

• Your national insurance number
• Information about your income, savings, and investments
• Data about your income, savings, and investments on the date you want to apply (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age)

You can also check your eligibility for the benefit online by visiting www.gov.uk/pension-credit.

If you apply after reaching pension age, you can defer your application for three months.

The text has been updated for better readability and to eliminate formality. This information emphasizes the importance for pensioners to know their rights to financial support, which can significantly improve their financial situation, especially in the current economic challenges. The call to check the possibility of receiving payments is aimed at all who may potentially be interested.