A staggering 11,900 of the poorest pensioners in Manchester may be living in unnecessary poverty, a charity has said.
Around 38% of pensioners, around 1.6m nationwide, are failing to claim Pension Credit, which is an important benefit intended to top up the pensions of the poorest to at least £145.40 a week.
Charity Independent Age has launched a free ‘Wise Guide’ book to help Manchester’s poorest pensioners put more cash in their pockets.
Victoria Richards, Head of Advice and Support at Independent Age, said: “With rising prices a huge source of anxiety to many pensioners, Pension Credit really can make all the difference to those in later life.
“In some cases, it can also passport pensioners to other benefits such as council tax and housing benefit.
“And when claimed with Attendance Allowance, it can almost double some people’s incomes.
“But it does have to be claimed – and our new Wise Guide shows you how.”
A reason that so many pensioners are living in scarce conditions is because the claiming of pension credit is complicated, but with Independent Age’s guide more elderly people will be able to claim.
By targeting the over 65s the guide has been developed so it is easy to read as well as being packed with essential information on how to claim.
You can find the new Wise Guide here.
Picture courtesy of Xavi Talleda via Flickr, with thanks.
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