Age Concern Dorchester - Home Page Article

Pensioners Could Be Losing Out!

PENSIONERS COULD LOSE HUNDREDS OF POUNDS UNLESS THEY ACT NOW - WARNS AGE CONCERN DORCHESTER.

Many pensioners in Dorset are already losing out on an average £1,352 a year by not claiming the Government’s flagship benefit for older people - Pension Credit. But if they don’t claim before October 6th they could also miss out on hundreds of pounds of backdated cash warns Age Concern Dorchester today.

As part of its ‘More Money in Your Pocket’ campaign Age Concern Dorchester is highlighting the fact that from October older people will only be able to claim three months of backdated Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, rather than the up to twelve months they can currently receive. The charity is urging pensioners in Dorchester to put in a claim now to avoid losing out.

Despite many pensioners struggling to meet the rapidly rising cost of living, millions are missing out on benefits, such as Pension Credit, because they find the system difficult to understand, are embarrassed about claiming or just don’t realise they’re entitled to the extra cash. Five years on from the introduction of Pension Credit a third of those entitled to claim are missing out on their share of up to £2.8 billion left unclaimed each year.

Yet Pension Credit and other benefits can make a huge difference to the poorest pensioners. Age Concern Dorchester can make claiming simple and is urging older people, their relatives and carers to get in touch. The charity offers free, clear and confidential benefits information and advice, help with filling in forms and can even offer home visits.  For more information people can contact Age Concern Dorchester on 01305 269444 or go to our contacts page for more ways to reach us..

To coincide with this phase of its More Money in Your Pocket campaign, Age Concern Dorchester has organised Drop-In Benefits Surgeries to encourage people to take up Pension Credit and other benefits between 10am and 12pm on 4 August, 1 September, and 6 October.

Peter Lindsley, Information and Advice Manager for Age Concern Dorchester, said:

With the cost of living spiralling, every penny counts. Claiming Pension Credit and other benefits can make a huge difference to the quality of life of many older people. Yet one in three pensioners entitled to Pension Credit alone aren’t getting the money that’s rightfully theirs.