Older people in Flintshire urged to claim £100m in unclaimed Pension Credit, Age Cymru says
Age Cymru is urging older people in Flintshire and across Wales to check what financial support they are entitled to, as the charity launches its annual guide for pensioners.
The charity said £3bn of UK state benefits goes unclaimed each year, with more than £100m of that in unclaimed Pension Credit in Wales alone.
Age Cymru’s More Money in Your Pocket guide is split into three sections covering pensions, support related to the home, and wellbeing.
The pensions section covers the State Pension and Pension Credit.
The home section covers Council Tax Reduction, Winter Fuel Payments and the Warm Home Discount.
The wellbeing section covers Carer’s Allowance, Attendance Allowance and help with NHS costs such as dental treatment, glasses and contact lenses.
The charity said some of the support is not means tested, meaning it is available to more people than is typically thought.
Age Cymru chief executive Victoria Lloyd said: “The cost of living crisis is hitting everyone, but older people in Wales are particularly vulnerable with 78% of older workers who responded to our survey changing retirement plans due to financial concerns.”
Ms Lloyd said: “One of the factors that people are telling us after learning of the support available, is that they simply didn’t know they were entitled to it.”
She said: “Many older people have not claimed benefits or support before, often believing that they won’t be eligible.”
Ms Lloyd said: “However, the fact is that today we are veering from one financial crisis to the next, be that cost of living or a fuel and energy crisis; even those who previously would have been relatively comfortable are having to choose between heating or eating some days.”
She said: “Financial security is at the heart of so many issues affecting older people, from being able to heat their homes, to avoiding isolation and accessing key services and support.”
Ms Lloyd said: “I’d urge people to read and share our guide with their friends and family, so that people can access the funding they are entitled to.”
Age Cymru shared a case study of a former HGV driver, identified by the charity only as John, who had never claimed a benefit because he believed he would not qualify for support.
John said: “When you have never claimed anything in your life, you don’t know what the procedure is – I didn’t know whether I would be entitled to anything or not.”
He said: “It turns out I wasn’t claiming a number of benefits and entitlements I qualified for, including Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Winter Fuel Payment, a Warm Home Discount and a few other things.”
John said: “Between my wife and I we had been missing out on just under £10,000 of support every year – which has made an enormous difference to our everyday lives!”
He said: “I wish I had learned about it sooner and I’d encourage everyone to read the guide or give Age Cymru a call!”
Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Payment and the State Pension are administered by the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions.
Council Tax Reduction in Wales is administered by local authorities, including Flintshire County Council, under rules set by the Welsh Government.
The Age Cymru guide and benefits check tool are available at agecymru.wales or by calling 0300 303 44 98.
Local advice is also available from Citizens Advice Flintshire.
[Image – Age Cymru]
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