Older people report that benefits system makes them “give up” – as they’re tasked with answering an eye-watering 450 questions.
Thousands of pensioners are missing out on a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) income boost due to a “long and difficult” process. Older people report that benefits system makes them “give up” – as they’re tasked with answering an eye-watering 450 questions.
Researchers found that for just four of the key older-age benefits, applicants would need to answer 450 questions: Attendance Allowance, Council Tax reduction, and Pension Credit, as well as the Winter Fuel Payment, which all together, are worth £12,044.
Independent Age’s chief executive Joanna Elson CBE said: “It is clear that the UK has a social security system that is far too complex and difficult to navigate, and while there are numerous entitlements available, many people in later life are often unable to access potentially life-changing support as a result. Something has to change.
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“There are currently around two million older people living in poverty, and a further one million are precariously on the edge. The UK Government and local authorities must work together to drive take-up for benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit.”
Susan, 69, told Independent Age: “Applying for Attendance Allowance was awful. Reducing me to tears and even making me feel suicidal several times. Not only were the questions difficult to understand, dwelling on all of the things that I am no longer capable of doing sent me into a very dark place.”
“Applying for help in way of benefits is extremely difficult in the end, one just gives up and continues to struggle,” added Alan, age 80.
A DWP spokesperson said: “We have made the process of applying for benefits as accessible as possible – such as completing the Pension Credit claim form online now takes on average just 16 minutes while figures published last week show nearly 120,000 more pensioners are receiving it since July.
“Our new initiative of joining up State Pension and Pension Credit is supporting more people onto the benefit as soon as they become eligible, and we have written to over 120,000 pensioner households in receipt of Housing Benefit about Pension Credit to better join up the offer and further improve uptake.”