Around 82,000 pensioner households which could not previously claim income support have signed up to the new Pension Credit since October, official figures show. The government said 1.2 million households were now getting more money as a result of the Pension Credit.
Most of those pensioners have been transferred from the Minimum Income Guarantee (Mig).
But Age Concern said uptake so far was 'disappointing'. The credit is being phased in over the next year.
Mixed reaction
Overall, two-thirds of the households who were eligible for Mig are an average of 6.65 a week better off, the government said.
Andrew Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said the credit, which provides a top-up income for pensioners, had "got off to a good start".
"I urge any pensioners who think they may be eligible (or their relatives or friends, if they need help) to ring the application line. I want every pensioner to get their entitlement."
But pensioners' charity Age Concern said the figures were disappointing.
Age Concern's Director-General Gordon Lishman said: "While some older people will be pleased that their income has been boosted, the latest take-up figures are disappointing.
"Half of those who are eligible still aren't getting the cash they are entitled to."
Steve Webb, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said the system was too complex.
"It comes as no surprise that large numbers are failing to claim what they are entitled to," he said.
Claiming support
A separate report, also released by the Department for Work and Pensions on Tuesday, revealed that 88% of people questioned before the benefit was introduced had not heard of it.
While most people who were not yet claiming income support were positive about the new benefit, nearly a quarter of all pensioners expressed uncertainty about claiming or said that they definitely would not make a claim for the benefit
Half said they did not like asking for extra money and 44% said claiming income-related benefits would affect their pride.
Just over a quarter believed they were accepting charity.
"Awareness of the Pension Credit is extremely low, with over three-quarters of the sample of pensioners used in a recent Department of Work and Pensions research report claiming to have no knowledge of the Pension Credit," said David Willetts, head of policy co-ordination for the Conservatives.
"At this rate it will take another six-and-a-half years before the Government will even hit their target."
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