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Confusion over benefits system keeping pensioners from claiming their dues - worrying new statistics revealed by Age Concern (04.10.07)

Confusion over the complicated benefits system is keeping pensioners from claiming much needed cash‚ warns Age Concern today as the charity launches the next major phase in its year-long Your Rights benefits campaign.

New research from Age Concern shows that 6 out of 10 lower income pensioners are put off claiming benefits by the complex system‚ with almost half finding means-testing too intrusive and 48% being discouraged by the complicated forms.1 However Age Concern is urging older people not to be put off by the system as claiming benefits could dramatically improve their standard of living and the charity can help make claiming simple.

Four years on from the launch of the Government’s flagship benefit for older people - Pension Credit2 - a third of those entitled to claim are still missing out. Despite huge increases to the cost of living for pensioners in recent years‚ up to £2.5 billion is left unclaimed each year3. Millions of pensioners are missing out on benefits such as Pension Credit because they find the system difficult to understand‚ are embarrassed about claiming or simply don’t realise they’re entitled to the extra cash.

Gordon Lishman‚ Director General of Age Concern said:
“Many pensioners are put off claiming benefits because they find the system confusing. Yet this is money that is rightfully theirs and‚ if claimed‚ could make a big difference to their weekly income.

“Pension Credit is one of the main benefits available for older people and putting in a claim can actually open the door to receiving other money benefits. We would urge any older person who finds their income stretched to see if they could claim. Older people shouldn’t let the system get the better of them. Age Concern advisors are there to help them through the claiming process.”

Older people from black and minority ethnic groups are particularly at risk of poverty. Government figures show that over a quarter of BME older people (26%) are living in poverty compared to 17% of white older people. 4 The charity is urging people to get in touch with their local Age Concern for free‚ clear and confidential benefits information and advice‚ and help with filling in forms. Many Age Concerns in areas with high BME populations also provide benefits advice in languages other than English.

TV Presenter June Sarpong‚ who is supporting Age Concern’s Your Rights campaign‚ said:
“It is disgraceful that millions of older people across the UK are having to scrimp and save just to get by. Claiming benefits could make a massive difference but many older people just don’t realise the money is there waiting for them.

“Older people from black or minority ethnic groups are much more likely to be living in poverty so finding out if they’re entitled to extra benefits cash could really help. It is so important that older people from all backgrounds claim the money that’s rightfully theirs‚ and family can often play a huge part in encouraging people to claim. Any older person‚ or anyone worried that their parents or grandparents are missing out‚ should talk to Age Concern about benefits – it could change their lives.”

Age Concern is calling on the Government to make it easier for older people to claim benefits by introducing a single claim-line for all means-tested benefits‚ paying benefits automatically to those entitled and providing more help and information in languages other than English. These calls are backed up by the charity’s new findings which show that 85% of pensioners think automatic payments would help ease the claiming process and 80% would like to see a single benefits claim-line introduced.5

To find their nearest Age Concern or for more information older people‚ their friends‚ relatives or carers can call the charity’s free information line on 0800 00 99 66.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. ICM/Age Concern Research‚ August/September 2007. 601 out of 1010 lower income pensioners (59%) said they would be put off claiming benefits by the complex system‚ almost half 496 (49%) find means-testing too intrusive and 490 (48%) are discouraged by the complicated forms.
ICM interviewed a random sample of 1706 people aged over 60 by telephone across the country between 29 August and 16  September 2007‚ 1010 of those were older people from the lowest social groups polled: C2‚ D and E. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information can be found at http://www.icmresearch.co.uk/. Please see ICM’s website for social grade definitions used . 

2. Pension Credit was first introduced on October 6th 2003.

What is Pension Credit?

Almost half of all pensioners are entitled to Pension Credit. This benefit is in two parts‚ older people may be eligible to receive one or both. Guarantee Credit tops up your income‚ to at least £119.05 a week if you're single and £181.70 for couples. You may also be entitled to a higher amount if you are disabled‚ a carer or have certain housing costs.  If you have modest savings‚ with an income of no more that £167 a week if you're single and £245 for couples‚ you may also qualify for up to £19.05 a week of Savings Credit if you're single and £25.26 for couples.

3. Source: Department for Work and Pensions Income Related Benefits Take-Up Estimates 05/06

4. Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions.

5. ICM/Age Concern research‚ August/September 2007. 1458 of 1706 people over 60 polled (85%) thought benefits should be paid automatically and 1369 (80%) thought a single claim-line for all benefits would make claiming benefits easier.

Through its year-long Your Rights campaign Age Concern aims to put an extra £100 million of money benefits in the pockets of older people by April 2008.

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