Pensioners miss out on millions in payments
Over 50,000 pensioners in the North East are not claiming millions of pounds in payments they are entitled to, a leading charity claims
Independent Age says 55,000 older households in the region are missing out on a collective £115M – with some having to choose between eating and heating their homes.
While welcoming an increase in Pension Credit last week, the charity estimate that up to a million older people who could be eligible will not receive it.
Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Independent Age, said: “Our analysis shows this could be affecting up to 55,000 households in the North East, that’s £115million that isn’t reaching those who need it most.
“Uptake of Pension Credit has not risen above 64% for around a decade – the worst uptake of any income-related benefit.”
Ms Alsina says Pension Credit is important because it acts acts as a gateway to a free TV licence for over 75s, free NHS prescriptions, council tax support, Housing Benefit
and free eye tests – and could be worth around £7,000 a year.
She added: “We welcome efforts by the Government to ensure more people receive Pension Credit but need to urgently produce an action plan to tackle low uptake in a more strategic and effective way.
“Research we recently commissioned suggests that full take-up could over time result in net savings as people’s health improves and they are less likely to need health or social care services.
“By identifying and overcoming any barriers, we can increase uptake and ultimately, improve the lives of people in the North East in later life.”