Hundreds of thousands of pensioners are still failing to claim a benefit worth thousands of pounds a year, despite repeated warnings from ministers and campaigners.
The scale of the problem was laid bare in the DWP oral evidence in its DWP committee this week, when MPs highlighted that around one in three eligible pensioners are still not claiming Pension Credit - a benefit specifically designed to help some of Britain's poorest people.
The revelation comes out as the DWP is sending out letters to households and means vast numbers of older people could be living on lower incomes than necessary while support sits unclaimed.
Sir Peter Schofield, the DWP's most senior civil servant, told the committee: "We have a new campaign going out, which is again trying to reach people who have contacts and relatives who may be eligible for pension credit."
One in three not claiming
During the Commons hearing, MPs challenged ministers over the stubbornly low take-up rate for Pension Credit.
Despite years of awareness campaigns, only around two-thirds of those entitled to the benefit currently receive it.
That leaves hundreds of thousands of pensioners potentially missing out on money that could help pay for food, heating, housing costs and other essentials.
For many retirees, the loss goes beyond the weekly payment itself.
Pension Credit can also unlock additional support, meaning some pensioners who fail to claim may be missing out on multiple forms of financial help.
Ministers admit people are still missing out
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden acknowledged the scale of the challenge.
"There are people who do not claim Pension Credit," he told MPs.
The DWP minister said some pensioners do not realise they qualify, while others are reluctant to apply despite being eligible.
The admission came as MPs warned that many older people continue to struggle with rising living costs.
Thousands more claims - but the gap remains huge
The Government has stepped up efforts to boost take-up.
McFadden revealed that around 34,000 additional claims have been made following recent campaigns.
"We have had about 34,000 more claims," he said.
But while ministers welcomed the increase, the figure also underlines how many people may still be outside the system.
Campaigners argue that every unclaimed Pension Credit award represents an older person missing out on support specifically intended to prevent pensioner poverty.
Families urged to check on relatives
In a sign of growing concern, ministers said they are increasingly encouraging family members and friends to help older relatives check whether they qualify.
The Government believes trusted relatives may succeed where official campaigns have failed.
Officials hope children and grandchildren will encourage pensioners who may be unaware of their entitlement - or reluctant to claim - to come forward.
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The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions concluded: "We are always encouraging people to claim the pension credit to which they are entitled.
"The Committee will know, however, that there have been long-term issues with people underclaiming pension credit and not claiming the help to which they are entitled.
"We have had lots of information campaigns and we have put in lots of effort, and the numbers have gone up, but that is what pension credit is there for: those who do not have access to enough income due to the state pension that they receive."
