Pensioners Failing to Claim their Entitlements

A recent report from Age UK reveals that thousands of pensioners are living in poverty due to the higher costs of living. A third of respondents said they had to buy cheaper food while one in five have to cut back on heating costs. Many pensioners are only just about getting by and are, claims the charity, hardest hit by recent rises in food and fuel prices.

According to recent research large numbers of pensioners are not claiming additional benefits they may be entitled to. Those who are not claiming any benefits could boost their income by £788, while others are losing out on up to £2,500.

The average amount of financial help that pensioners could be entitled to if they claimed is £675.

The most probable reason why so many benefits go unclaimed is that many pensioners are not claiming Pension Credit which in turn opens the door to other benefits such as council Tax Discount. Pension Credit brings the level of income for pensioners up to a minimum of £135.35 for single people and £209.70 for couples. A lot of older people are too proud to ask for help while others are in the dark as to what they are entitled to claim for.

The result is that around 1.8 million pensioners are living in poverty while hundreds of thousands more are just getting by.

This is why Age UK is launching a new campaign called More Money in Your Pocket aimed at encouraging millions of pensioners to claim what is due to them.

Michelle Mitchell, speaking on behalf of Age UK, said: “This is unacceptable. Clear, independent information and advice and face-to-face communication are key to improving benefit take-up.”

Information on what financial support is available to pensioners can be found on the government website www.direct.gov.uk. These include pension credits which is composed of two elements: the "guarantee credit" element and the "savings credit" element (which is payable from age 65).

Other benefits include Winter Fuel Payments to help with fuel bills. These are paid to men and women who, according to the government website, "have reached the minimum age at which a woman can receive a state pension". You can work out on the government website whether you qualify by using the State Pension Calculator. These payments are paid annually and are tax free. They are payable, normally by November, and are paid automatically by Christmas if you reach the required age to receive your pension.

Completely separate to the Winter Fuel Payments are Cold Weather Payments, payable for each week of extremely cold weather in your area between 1st November and 31st March. To receive Cold Weather Payments the applicant has to be in receipt of certain benefits. The payments are made if the temperatures are either recorded or forecast as reaching an average of zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days.

Another source of help for older parents, carers or grandparents caring full time for grandchildren, who are in receipt of the guarantee credit element of Pension Credit, is that the children in their care are entitled to free school meals or milk. These have to be applied for from the Local Authority.

For further information you can contact the Pension Credit helpline (0800 99 1234) who will give advice concerning benefits for pensioners. Alternatively you can contact your local Citizens' Advice Bureau or check online on www.ageuk.org.uk.

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