Age Concern is calling on people across the UK to urge their older friends and family to claim their benefits as this could dramatically improve their quality of life and lift many out of poverty. The call comes as new research for the charity reveals that more than a third (35%) of people are worried that an older friend or relative is missing out on vital money benefits.1

In a bid to reverse the growing amount of benefits cash left unclaimed by older people each year – now up to £4.2 billion2 - Age Concern is today launching a major new campaign to encourage older people to claim the money that’s rightfully theirs. The charity has set an ambitious target for the year-long ‘Your Rights’ campaign, pledging to put an extra £100 million into the pockets of pensioners before April 2008.

News that council tax bills will increase by an average 4.2%3 this year will be a huge worry for many pensioners, yet official figures show that Council Tax Benefit is still the least claimed benefit by older people, particularly homeowners on a low income.4 New Age Concern research shows that over 60%5 of older homeowners on low incomes think they would be ineligible for Council Tax Benefit - yet almost exactly the same percentage of lower income homeowners who are entitled aren’t claiming.6

Up to £1.4 billion in Council Tax Benefit is failing to reach older people, with almost 50% of those entitled to claim - up to 2.2 million pensioner households - missing out.7 That’s why the campaign spotlight will focus on encouraging older people to claim the Council Tax Benefit that they are entitled to throughout April and May.8

Bob and Dorothy, who between them claimed an extra £250 per week in money benefits with the help of their local Age Concern, said:

“Once we made a claim for one benefit, we found we were entitled to many more. We no longer have to pay Council Tax, get extra money each week and receive help paying for glasses and free dentist treatment. Claiming benefits has made a massive difference to our lives and Age Concern made it really easy to claim. They visited us at home and helped us to fill out the forms.”

The charity is concerned that some of the poorest and most excluded older people are missing out on benefits cash that’s rightfully theirs because they don’t know that they are entitled, are worried about the complexity of the process or are embarrassed about claiming. Yet local Age Concerns across the country offer clear, free and confidential help and advice which can overcome these obstacles. Older people or concerned friends or relatives should contact their local Age Concern or call the free helpline on 0800 00 99 66 for more information and advice.

Actor and TV presenter, Tony Robinson, who is supporting the campaign, said:

"You wouldn't throw your own money out of the window, would you? Yet that's what thousands of elderly people do every day by not collecting the benefits that are due to them. We pay our taxes and National Insurance all our lives - lets make sure we all get the proper return on that investment."

Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said:

“Millions of older people across the UK are missing out on money that’s rightfully theirs and could make a huge difference to their quality of life. That’s why we’re launching our new year-long Your Rights campaign and are determined to get an extra £100 million into the pockets of those who need it most by April 2008.

“There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by making a claim. Claiming Council Tax Benefit alone could cut bills by an average of £580 a year and claiming Housing Benefit could mean paying less or no rent at all. We would urge older people to get in touch with their local Age Concern for a free benefits check or to phone our free helpline on 0800 00 99 66 for more information.”

Age Concern’s top ten tips to claiming benefits:

Don’t be put off by filling in forms. Age Concern can help you to fill them in.
Your local Age Concern or Pension Service may be able to visit you at home to provide advice and help with forms.
Find out if you are entitled to Pension Credit – this could help you claim other benefits.
If you are claiming Pension Credit you can also claim help with Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit in one phone call rather claiming all the benefits separately.

You could be entitled to benefits such as Attendance Allowance (paid to older disabled people) even if you aren’t entitled to other benefits that are means tested.

Even if you own your own home you may still be entitled for benefits such as Council Tax Benefit.
If you’ve been turned down in the past you could be eligible now so it’s worth putting in another claim.
To find out whether you can claim just ask your local Age Concern for free, clear and confidential advice.
If you are entitled, make sure you claim. Benefits aren’t a hand-out - this is your money.
Call our free helpline on 0800 00 99 66 for advice or to find your nearest Age Concern.
Age Concern’s bestselling book, ‘Your Rights to Money Benefits 2007/08’, by expert Sally West, has been updated following the Budget and is available from today. Readers can order their copy now on our hotline 0870 44 22 120.9

PENSION AND BENEFIT RATES FOR 2007-08
April 2006 April 2007
State Pension

Full Basic £84.25 £87.30
Married Woman on husband’s contributions £50.50 £52.30
Couple on husband’s contributions £134.75 £139.60
Pension Credit (aged 60+), Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (aged 60-64)

Single Person £114.05* £119.05*
Couple £174.05* £181.70*
Carer £26.35 £27.15
Severe Disability £46.75 £48.45

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (aged 65+)

Single Person £131.95* £138.10*
Couple £197.65* £207.00*

Attendance Allowance

Higher Rate £62.25 £64.50
Lower Rate £41.65 £43.15

Disability Living Allowance

Care Higher Rate £62.25 £64.50
Middle Rate £41.65 £43.15
Lower Rate £16.50 £17.10

Mobility Higher Rate £43.45 £45.00
Lower Rate £16.50 £17.10

Carer’s Allowance £46.95 £48.65

Please note: These rates are higher for some severely disabled people, carers and (for Pension Credit) homeowners with certain housing costs. People with modest savings may also benefit from the savings credit element of Pension Credit.

Housing Benefit (help with rent) and Council Tax Benefit levels are dependent upon factors including people’s income, savings, the level of rent and Council Tax they have to pay. For many older people receiving Pension Credit guarantee, benefits can cover all their rent and Council Tax; others can get some help to reduce these bills.