All those who could be eligible to claim Pension Credit are being urged to do so.

An estimated 440 people who could receive the benefit but currently do not are thought to be living in Medway.

Pension Credit is separate from state pensions and having savings, a private pension or owning a home are not necessarily barriers to receiving it. On average, it is worth more than £3,900 a year.

There has been a drive to urge people to claim in the face of the removal of the Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners, with calls for the government to have a rethink.

To help raise awareness, Medway Council has written to all residents it believes could claim.

It will also be hosting an event at the former Wilko’s in The Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham, from 10am to 2pm on Monday, October 21.

Those who attend will be able to find out about Pension Credit and get help and support with claiming it.

Deputy council leader Cllr Teresa Murray (Lab) said: “The cost of living crisis is still having an impact on all of our lives, and we want to make sure people are claiming all of the help they are entitled to.

"The main drive behind this event is to help raise awareness about Pension Credit and support people to make a claim.

“We are aware that there is a waiting time for new claims to be processed, so it is really important that anyone who is eligible starts their Pension Credit claim as soon as possible to make sure they don’t miss out.

“If you have friends, family or neighbours who you think would benefit from this event, please make them aware so they are able to come along and get face-to-face support from the council, our partners and the brilliant voluntary organisations in Medway.”

For more details about support on offer, visit Medway.gov.uk/HouseholdSupport or call the council on 01634 331500.