Older People: Cost of Living
With the announcement of the increase in the fuel price cap this week, we know that as the year progresses more and more people will find themselves in fuel poverty.
Older people have told us that they are already doing everything they can to save money, that they can no longer afford to socialise or get out into their communities, further exacerbating the loneliness and isolation of the pandemic.
Equally important, the decision between fuel usage and weekly shopping bills that is often characterised as ‘heating or eating’ is looming large in the minds of many.
One of the practical steps that can be taken to mitigate the increases in living costs is to make sure people are receiving the incomes they are entitled to. We hope that you can help us with this by encouraging people in your community to check they are receiving everything they are entitled to.
Government estimates published this year suggest that in the UK
- up to 850 thousand families who were entitled to receive Pension Credit did not claim.
- up to £1.7 billion of available Pension Credit went unclaimed: on average, this amounted to around £1,900 per year for each family entitled to receive Pension Credit.
These funds would make a huge difference to the lives of older people living in communities across Wales. Plus, it can also ‘passport’ people to other types of help such as help with energy bills in the winter, free TV licences for the over 75s, dental treatment, help with rent and council tax reduction.
There are many reasons that people don’t claim Pension Credit. Very often people think they won’t be entitled or, knowing how difficult things are, they don’t want to be a burden. In addition, many people aren’t aware that if they’ve been turned down before, it may still be worth making a new claim, as benefits rates change, as can their finances.
Life is hard enough without money worries and it’s not right that there are so many people who are not claiming cash that is theirs. We should be doing all we can, as family, friends, and professionals to ensure older people we know aren’t among those missing out on vital additional income.
You can find further information about support available and how people can maximise their income on our website: www.agecymru.org.uk
Or you can encourage people to make a claim for Pension Credit, people should call the DWP Pension Credit claim line direct on 0800 99 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim. It can be claimed by phone and online.
For other information and advice people in your communities can visit www.agecymru.org.uk/advice or if they want to talk to someone directly, in Welsh or English, they can call Age Cymru Advice – 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday – Friday or email us at advice@agecymru.org.uk
If you wish to discuss the impact of cost of living or any other issues facing older people in your communities, please contact us at policy@agecymru.org.uk.