Over 2m elderly living in poverty - Age UK urges older people to apply for free benefits pension test

Charity Age UK is urging older people to apply for a free benefits pension test, with the total number of older people living in poverty in the UK now standing at over two million, up from 1.6m, according to the Office of National Statistics.

To combat poverty in later life, Age UK is working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to encourage older people on low incomes to see if they can receive a Pension Credit top-up as figures from the DWP show nearly a million (920,000) households are missing out on Pension Credit payments worth up to £1.6b a year or over £1,600 a year, per recipient.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “The numbers of older people living in poverty have risen steadily in the last few years. That’s a lot of older people worried sick about how they’ll cope if their heating or their cooker breaks down and needs replacing, more than the entire populations of Newcastle and Liverpool put together.”

Figures published by the DWP also show ethnic background is also a factor as a third of Asian older people (33 per cent) and 30 per cent of Black older people in the UK live below the poverty line, compared to 16 per cent of White older people.

“It’s sad to realise that the burden of poverty in old age is falling disproportionately on Black and Asian older people in our society at the moment,” says Ms Abrahams.

“For their sake and, for the sake of anyone forced to scrimp and save in their later years, we should do everything possible to raise their incomes, so they can enjoy the dignified and comfortable retirement they deserve."

“There are many reasons why older people don’t claim, including lack of awareness, worry about filling in long forms or disclosing personal information, feeling there is always someone worse off than they are, or being determined not to ask for help, even though in reality they badly need it.

“We’re urging anyone who is struggling financially to get in touch for a free benefits check – it could make a huge difference to the rest of their lives.”

’There’s help out there and Age UK can support older people throughout the whole process’

The DWP also states that the over-85s, renters, and single, females are at greater risk of poverty than the older population as a whole.

Ex-Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman and TV entertainer and chef Rustie Lee, also back Age UK’s call for pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit

Mr Goodman said: “Older people are so resilient and tend to know how to make do, but it doesn’t have to be like that for those who are struggling to manage day-to-day bills.

“Pension Credit is a benefit for low-income pensioners to help cover the costs of later life. Lots of people don’t even know it exists, meaning almost a million older households are not getting the extra money they are entitled to. For those that have claimed, it can mean being able to stick the heating on for longer or having the money to buy essentials for their home to keep well and safe.

“There’s help out there and Age UK can support older people throughout the whole process – from information gathering to form filling. Please… I would urge anyone who’s watching the pennies to find out more and see if they can make a claim. Pension Credit not only gives you more money each week, but it can also be a gateway to other help too.”

'It’s just shocking that so many older people can’t afford the basics'

Ms Lee said: “There’s absolutely nothing to lose by making a claim, she says.

“Pension Credit is a really important benefit that can make a big difference to older people on a budget, giving them a bit of extra cash to pay for things that most people for granted.

“It’s so important for everyone who’s feeling the pinch at the moment to see if they might be entitled to claim some extra help. It’s just shocking that so many older people can’t afford the basics such as decent, healthy food or keeping their house nice and warm.”

Anyone who is retired and struggling to make ends meet can put in a claim for Pension Credit – a means-tested, tax-free benefit for older people to check if they can claim potential benefits including:

• A free TV licence (if also over-75)

• Help with Council Tax

• Free NHS dental treatment and help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital

• A Cold Weather Payment of £25 when the temperature is 0°C or below for 7 days in a row

• Help with rent

• An extra payment within Pension Credit for carers, worth up to £37.70 a week.

Any older person who is worried about money and/ or who may be entitled to claim benefits should contact Age UK by calling its national advice line free of charge on 0800 169 65 65 (8 am-7 pm), visiting www.ageuk.org.uk/money or contacting their local Age UK for free information and advice.

Older people in Scotland can call the helpline number for Age Scotland: 0800 12 44 222.

To make a claim, people should call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.