ELDERLY people in east Durham have less than a week left to apply for backdated pension Credit.

Next Tuesday is the deadline to seek benefit, which can be backdated to October 6 last year.

After this date, applications will still be processed but will not be eligible for backdating.

Pension Credit replaced the Minimum Income Guarantee and provides a specified level of income for everyone aged 60 or over of £102.10 a week for a single person or £155.80 a week for couples.

These amounts may be higher if people are severely disabled, look after someone severely disabled or have certain housing costs.

Benefits staff from Easington District Council have been working in partnership with officers from the Pension Service to target people over 60 who might not be receiving their full entitlement.

Last month it was revealed that more pensioners were claiming the extra benefit in Easington than anywhere else in County Durham.

Up to April, an extra £115,000 had been paid out to people who had earlier not been aware they qualified for the extra cash.

Anyone who wants further information on Pension Credit can call 0191-527 0501.