Pensioners across the UK are being encouraged to claim a staggering total of £6,600 in benefits that they are entitled to but have yet to access. A recent study conducted by the charity Age UK in collaboration with the Rothesay Foundation revealed that 76% of pensioners are missing out on vital benefits, with an average loss of £6,600 per individual.
Importance of Claiming Benefits
The most commonly unclaimed benefits include Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, and Housing Benefit. Those who initiate a new claim for any of these benefits now could start receiving funds as early as December.
| Benefit | Description | Eligibility | Average Annual Loss | Percentage Missing Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pension Credit | A financial support for low-income individuals of state pension age. | Income below £218/week (single) or £332/week (couple). | £4,910 | 37% |
| Attendance Allowance | Support for those needing extra help due to disabilities or health conditions. | Must be of state pension age with relevant needs. | £5,830 | 66% |
| Housing Benefit | Assistance with housing costs, available despite the transition to Universal Credit. | Varies based on income and housing situation. | £6,319 | 17% |
The Impact of Support on Pensioners
Paul Farmer, CEO of Age UK, stated, “To date, we’ve already helped over 4,500 older people identify their benefit entitlements, and over the next two years we hope to reach even more. From our conversations with older people, we know how life-changing this support can be.
Many are forced to make impossible choices between heating, eating, buying warm clothes, or even getting a small Christmas gift for a loved one. Older people deserve better. We are deeply grateful to the Rothesay Foundation for its generosity and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of older people.”
James Dickson, Chairman of the Rothesay Foundation, emphasized, “Too many older people are living in need in the UK despite being eligible and entitled to greater financial support. Through our pilot campaign with Age UK, we know that benefits like Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance can be life-changing, unlocking potentially thousands of pounds each year for those in need.”
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Hi, I’ve not long become a pensioner and can’t claim pension credit bcoz my husband is younger than me, I’ve got mental health issues plus being investigated for colon cancer, my husband is in remission from throat cancer and we have an autistic son that’s 27 that can’t work, we are finding things really hard at the moment and any help would be appreciated
Why if there is this amount of money available are they not making it easy claim you spend time filling in a form the hen are rejected it seems to me people who have worked hard all there lives paid NI and taxes are the forgotten pensioners of this country
Pensioners are being written off. As soon as you reach the magic age of 66 (soon to be in excess of 70 years), forms for help/benefits are gobbledygook and yet we can read! It seems that the Government are making it extremely hard to access any benefits. Perversely, you can be under State Pension age and claim for Disability Benefit when in receipt of PIP. However, once you reach State Pension age, you don’t have the need for a Disability benefit since pensioners don’t use their cars and if some people insist, we shouldn’t be driving in any case. Grossly unfair, Ageist and Discriminatory.
Im 67 got my state pension last year can’t claim pension credit because I’m 3 pounds over now mu housing benefit has been stopped because I clamed a private pension once every 3 months the housing benefit say I’m earning too much money but you work all you life and save for your retirement just to be penalised