Charity launches campaign on benefits for older people

Hundreds of thousands of older people miss out on benefits
including attendance allowance, according to older people’s
charity Age Concern.

The charity has launched ‘Your Rights Week’ from 5 April to help
older people 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
£940 million unclaimed every year.

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

“I would urge older people and their carers to ensure they are
claiming all the benefits they are entitled to,” said director
Gordon Lishman.

Age Concern offices will be taking the Your Rights Week message
into their local communities, with activities ranging from a
benefits roadshow that will visit community centres, to helpdesks
for older people in supermarkets.

From 8 April 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.