Charity launches benefit campaign

Hundreds of thousands of older people are
missing out on benefits including attendance allowance, according
to Age Concern.

The charity
has launched Your Rights Week to help them claim the benefits to
which they are entitled.

Government figures reveal that
around 770,000 older people who are eligible for income support do
not claim it, resulting in up to £940m unclaimed every
year.

Age
Concern said that many people are put off by the complexity of the
benefits system while others fear a stigma attached to claiming
benefits.

Age
Concern offices will take the Your Rights Week message into local
communities, with activities such as a benefits road show and help
desks for older people in supermarkets.

From
this week the basic state pension for a single person goes up from
£72.50 to £75.50, while income support rises from
£92.15 to £98.15.

– Your
Rights Week pack from 0800 009966