Soaring gas and electricity prices will leave many old people unable to heat their homes properly this winter. But it’s possible some aren’t claiming cash they’re entitled to, because they simply don’t realise they can.

Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show that up to £2.8bn worth of pension credit is left unclaimed.

That’s a staggering 1.6m - or one in three OAPs – who are losing out.

So, it’s definitely worth checking whether your mum, gran or other elderly relatives are getting all the benefits they should.

That includes state pension, pension credit, attendance allowance, disability, council tax, health, winter fuel, TV licence and warm home discount scheme.

McCarthy & Stone, which develops retirement apartments and offers a benefits advice service to residents, says this is a real problem.

Gill Sabin, regional sales and marketing director explains: “A low awareness of the range of benefits older people are entitled to, as well as a fear of talking to strangers about money problems, is why many pensioners are struggling to cope with their finances and claim the extra cash.”

Take pension credit, for example.

There are two types – guaranteed and savings – and it’s possible to claim both.

Guaranteed pension credit tops-up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum, if it’s below £145.40 or £222.05 for a couple.

Savings credit is for over-65s who have put something towards retirement, such as a pension and could be worth an extra £18.06 a week, or £22.89 for a couple.

Attendance Allowance is also something many pensioners don’t realise they can claim.

This is a non-taxable and helps anyone aged 65 or over who’s living at home and needs someone to help look after them because they are physically or mentally disabled.

It’s not means-tested and is worth anything from £53 to 79.15 a week.

And it’s also worth checking out council tax benefits and personal independence payment/severe disability premium.

Colin Cuthbert, benefits advisor for McCarthy & Stone, adds: “Most of the people we help have never claimed anything extra in their life, but we explain that they’re entitled to investigate their options.

“These can make a real difference to many older people who have been struggling to meet the rising cost of living and didn’t know they could get some extra help.”

Of course, it can be difficult to work out what help there is out there but there are places to look.

The charity Age UK has a brilliant website ageuk.org.uk which is packed with useful information about benefits and offers advice on other problems too.

It includes a free helpline 0800 169 6565 and benefit calculator to work out what someone might be eligible for.

Leaflets are downloadable, so you can print them off and give them to someone who doesn’t feel comfortable reading online.

Another great source of information is the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, via adviceguide.org.uk Forecasters are warning it may be a particularly cold winter, so let’s hope more old people sign up for the help they deserve and are entitled to.