Older people could be missing out on millions
Millions of pounds of Government benefits go unclaimed in Wales every year by older people who may not realise what they are entitled to.
Our Tenancy Support Officers (TSOs) have seen a rise in the number of older people who don’t realise there is extra money they could be entitled to.
Charity Age Cymru has urged older people and their carers to check what benefits and entitlements they may claim, as they are missing out on millions in Wales each year.
Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Pension Credit are the more usual benefits that go unclaimed.
“Lots of older residents don’t realise there is financial help available for them,” says TSO Helen Edwards.
“Many have worked all their lives and never claimed benefits, or may have small pots of savings, so they don’t think benefits are open to them. Others don’t like to ask for help. They are too proud.
“I visited one of our retirement schemes last year and carried out a benefit check with everyone living there and found that nearly everyone was entitled to extra help. So I helped them with their applications.
“I recently worked with a couple of residents who were really struggling to make ends meet. When I looked into their circumstances they were paying their rent out of their small private pensions when they could claim Housing Benefit.
“They had always worked and had no awareness that they could claim for help. In one case I was able to get a Housing Benefit refund of £1,200 for a resident, which was a great help to them.”
You could you be missing out on...
This can help with extra living costs if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability which means you struggle doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition.
You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits. It comes in two parts – daily living to help with everyday tasks and mobility to help you get around.
This is one of the largest unclaimed support pots. It can be claimed if you are aged 66 or over and have a disability so severe that you need someone to help you live independently at home.
You could get £72.65 or £108.55 a week to help with personal support depending on your disability.
If you get Attendance Allowance you could also get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.
This is separate from State Pension. It gives extra money to help with living costs and can also help with housing costs. You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
You may get it even if you have a small private pension or savings or own your own home.
Even if you only get a couple of pounds in Pension Credit it opens up other help, such as Housing Benefit, Cost of Living Payments, a Council Tax discounts, free TV licence if you’re 75 or over, help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport for hospital appointments. Recently the Government has made changes to the eligibility for payments of the Warm Home Discount scheme to help with high energy bills costs. Pension Credit is one of the means-tested benefits you need to be on to qualify for the extra £150 one-off payment.
“Every case is different. As Tenancy Support Officers, we are there to help people. We want older residents to know that they can call us at any time. We are here for them and if we can help them we will.”
Tenancy Support Officer, Helen Edwards
If you think you may be missing out on financial benefits, contact the Housing Officer or Tenancy Support Officer for your area.
