Pensioners missing out on benefits

4:09pm Sunday 20th July 2008

Over half of British pensioners are struggling to live on a low income and are missing out on thousands in pension credits, statistics have revealed.

A report by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows that 61% of single pensioners receive less than £10,000 a year while elderly couples claiming a pension get £15,000.

Labour Minister Mike O'Brien last month blamed the rises in council tax for the 2.8 million older people who now officially live below the poverty line.

Research from Age Concern also revealed that many pensioners are missing out on a government pension credit fund of more than £2 billion as they find the system too complex to enter a claim.

The charity's findings showed that six out of 10 lower income pensioners are put off claiming benefits because they are confused by the paperwork involved, find the means testing procedure intrusive or do not believe they are entitled to it.

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "Many pensioners are put off claiming benefits because they find the system confusing. Yet this is money that is rightfully theirs and, if claimed, could make a big difference to their weekly income.

"Pension Credit is one of the main benefits available for older people and putting in a claim can actually open the door to receiving other money benefits.

"We would urge any older person who finds their income stretched to see if they could claim. Older people shouldn't let the system get the better of them. Age Concern advisers are there to help them through the claiming process."

Age Concern also found that older people from black and ethnic minority groups are particularly at risk of poverty.

OAPs are entitled to at least £124.05 a week, according to pension credit guidelines, but the charity found that 26% of people in ethnic minority groups are living in poverty compared to 17% of white older people.

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