Hard-up pensioners who may be missing out on money they should be getting to help pay basic household bills should act now to beat a new deadline for claims, warns Chorley and South Ribble Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

Official estimates suggest that up to four in ten pensioners entitled to pension credit - money paid to top up the basic state retirement pension of £87.30 a week - are not getting the extra cash they are due.

As much as £2.5 billion went unclaimed in the financial year 2005/06, the most recent year for which figures are available.

Many simply assume they do not qualify, or are daunted by the prospect of making a claim, according to CAB bosses.

If they claim now, some could also get a substantial lump sum, as payment can currently be backdated for up to a year, CAB bosses claim.

But this will change from October if Government plans to cut the backdating period to only three months go ahead.

The same new backdating time limit will be applied to council tax benefit, which many pensioners are also missing out on - particularly those who are homeowners.

Pensioners who get council tax benefit can find their council tax bills substantially reduced or even paid in full, yet official estimates show barely half of those eligible actually claim the money they are due, the CAB claim.

CAB Advice manager Lisa Watson said: "With higher council tax bills dropping through many people's letterboxes on top of huge hikes in the price of gas, electricity and other household bills, many pensioners are finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet.

"Yet billions of pounds that should be helping them is going unclaimed every year.

"Too many pensioners are missing out on money that is rightfully theirs. We would urge any pensioner worried about money to contact us for a free, confidential benefits check without delay.

"We can also help with making claims and sorting out any problems to do with pensions, benefits and debts."

More information about pensions and benefits for older people can be found on the Citizens Advice website adviceguide.org.uk or the Pension Service website thepensionservice.gov.uk.