Applying for Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and other Complex Benefits in the UK has become a challenging and time-consuming process for older adults, according to a new report from Independent Age.
The charity warns that an application can take up to four hours and require answering up to 450 questions, creating significant barriers for those in need of support. As pensioners navigate this complex benefits system, many face difficulties that can discourage them from claiming the financial aid they are entitled to.
As reported by Manchester Evening News, many pensioners struggle with the lengthy and intricate process, which can discourage them from claiming the financial aid they are entitled to.
The findings highlight ongoing concerns about low benefit uptake among older people, raising questions about whether the current system is accessible enough for those who rely on it most.
A System That Discourages Applications
The Jumping Through Hoops report, based on interviews with low-income older individuals, highlights how navigating the UK’s social security system can be overwhelming. Some applicants face a lengthy and confusing process, which can take even longer for those without professional assistance.
According to Independent Age, the complexity of these applications discourages many pensioners from claiming financial aid. This has contributed to low uptake rates for key benefits such as Pension Credit, which only 65% of eligible individuals claim. As a result, 970,000 people are missing out on support worth up to £4,200 per year.
Billions of Pounds in Unclaimed Benefits
Despite previous government campaigns to increase awareness, the uptake for Housing Benefit is similarly low at 83%, leaving around 270,000 senior households without their entitled support. In total, an estimated £1.5 billion in Pension Credit and £1.1 billion in Housing Benefit remain unclaimed each year.
These figures come amid growing concerns about pensioner poverty in the UK. Currently, around two million older people live in poverty, with another one million on the brink.
Many are struggling to afford heating and food, despite being entitled to Complex Benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit, which could provide crucial financial support.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has previously attempted to increase take-up through awareness campaigns, but progress has been slow. The complexity of the system remains a significant barrier for many pensioners.
Calls for Reform and Simplification
Independent Age is urging the UK Government to adopt a comprehensive strategy to improve benefit take-up rates. Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age, stressed that the current system is too difficult to navigate and prevents many pensioners from accessing life-changing support.
There are currently around two million older people living in poverty, and a further one million are precariously on the edge. The UK Government and local authorities must work together to drive take-up for benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit.
She further emphasised :
There needs to be an entitlement take-up strategy that tears down the barriers that make it so difficult to understand the system, and in some cases, inaccessible for many people in later life.
The strategy should include plans to simplify and streamline the application process. People shouldn’t have to spend hours answering hundreds of questions.
The DWP should also investigate the feasibility of automating or semi-automating certain entitlements, as this could help get money into the pockets of those who need it.
