Age Concern’s Director-General‚ Gordon Lishman‚ said:

“With benefit rates set to go up today (Monday)‚ it’s absolutely vital that older people find out what they are entitled to and claim what is theirs. Rising bills are a major strain for many older people‚ yet up to £2.9 billion in benefits cash is unclaimed by older people each year. ¹

“Many pensioners miss out because they don’t realise what they are entitled to‚ don’t know how to claim‚ or feel there is a stigma attached to claiming benefits and would rather ‘make do’.

“Age Concern has just launched its annual Your Rights Week ² to encourage and help older people claim what’s rightfully theirs. Free information packs are available throughout the week from local Age Concerns.

Notes to editors

1 Figure calculated by Age Concern from DWP Income-Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2002/03‚ pub. February 2005.

2 This year’s campaign runs from Friday April 8-15. Age Concerns across the UK will be taking the Your Rights Week message into their local communities and running a range of activities to get cash into pensioners’ pockets.

Age Concern has just published Your Rights 2005-06: a guide to money benefits for older people by income expert Sally West. Priced at £5.99 + p&p‚ the book can be ordered by calling 0870 44 22 120 or visiting the online bookshop

Spokespeople are available upon request.

Radio producers: Age Concern offers an ISDN facility.

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