Age Concern pushes for unclaimed benefits

With inflation rising the way it is (4.7% in August) pensioners are finding it even harder to make ends meet. Nevertheless it is estimated that older people are failing to claim around £4.6bn in benefits each year.

Older people’s charity Age Concern has launched a new campaign to help pensioners avoid missing out on support provided by advice services that can give independent and trustworthy advice. The campaign is called The Price of No Advice.

The charity has also issued a new report ‘Transforming Lives’ which demonstrates that support and advice can make a real difference to the lives of older people. Sadly though, such advice and support services are under-funded just at a time when they are needed most – and demand is increasing.

Getting support and advice on financial matters would really help to save money for pensioners.

There are still 1.8m pensioners living in poverty. Bills are going up with food prices and fuel prices in particular rocketing. What a difference a share of unclaimed benefits would make.

Age Concern helped people around the country claim more than £100m in the tax year for 2007-8 and although that was a lot of money, the charity feels it should do better. They say that further work is required to help tackle pensioner poverty. Many elderly people live in poor health and need assistance and services – all costing money – to help improve their quality of life. In such circumstances it is distressing to realise that so much money goes unclaimed because rightful claimants do not understand the system or the forms to use.

Age Concern understands that when older people do get extra money, it is used for food, clothing, fuel and getting help. These things are essentials.

Advisers can help older people with claims, filling out forms and offer guidance on the specific benefits and entitlements available to each individual - In summary, this is what Age Concern’s new campaign The Price of No Advice is all about.

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