PENSIONERS who make their claims for pension credits before October 6 could receive up to an extra £1,600 of backdated money.

South East Cornwall's Local Strategic Partnership is urging pensioners to act now to ensure that they receive everything they are entitled to.

Councillor Derris Watson, chair of the Local Strategic Partnership's Vulnerable People Action Group, explained: "At present, people over 60 who claim pension credits can backdate their claim by up to 12 months.

"That means that in addition to getting more money each week they also receive a lump sum back payment.

"Anyone who receives pension credits is also entitled to council tax benefit and, depending on their circumstances, sometimes housing benefit.

"So a year's back payment can be quite substantial.

"From 6 October, the rules will change and people who claim pension credits will only be able to backdate their claims by three months.

"That means that pensioners with backdated claims for pension credit and council tax benefit will lose out on more than £1,600 on an average claim."

Hilary Warren, manager of Liskeard's Citizens Advice Bureau, said: "Claiming your just rewards isn't difficult.

"And it can make a big difference to pensioners' incomes.

"But people need to apply now to ensure they don't miss out on the full 12 months' backdating.

"Local pensioners who think they might be entitled to extra money should get in touch with either Liskeard or Saltash Citizens Advice Bureau straightaway."

South East Cornwall's Local Strategic Partnership has run the award winning Pension Extras Claim Your Just Rewards campaign for three years, helping local pensioners claim a total of £1,302,483.

Partners in the campaign include the Citizens Advice Bureau, Caradon District Council, Cornwall Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust and the Pension Service.

For free, confidential advice on making a pension credits claim, pensioners should ring the Citizens Advice Bureau on 01579 340947 for Liskeard and 01752 848626 for Saltash.