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01/02/2012
Pensioners Missing Out On Millions
A report published on Tuesday has revealed that UK pensioners have left millions of pounds unclaimed.
The national charity, Citizens Advice, has published a leaflet to help people prepare for later life armed with all the information they need about the financial help they may be entitled to.
The leaflet is written by CAB experts and sponsored by Sun Life Direct, with the aim of ensuring people don’t miss out on benefits available in retirement.
Official figures show that up to £20 billion in means-tested benefits and tax credits go unclaimed every year, while older people are most likely to be missing out on pension credit and council tax benefit.
As many as 1.6 million pensioners are missing out on an average of £34 a week in pension credit, while up to 2.9 million households in all age groups are missing out on an average £14 a week in council tax benefit.
Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said: “This huge amount of unclaimed benefit adds up to millions of people missing out on the help they should be getting to make ends meet. Many people find that their income goes down as they get older and they either cut down their working hours or choose to retire, so it makes sense to find out ways to increase your income and reduce your outgoings before then.
“We want to make sure people don’t miss out on benefits they may be entitled to. With the cost of living going up by the day and people feeling a real squeeze on household budgets, it’s more important than ever they know what extra help’s available and how to claim it.”
The 'Help yourself to prepare for later life' outlines all the help available and people can pick one up from their local CAB, where they can also get a free, confidential and independent benefit check.
(DW)
The national charity, Citizens Advice, has published a leaflet to help people prepare for later life armed with all the information they need about the financial help they may be entitled to.
The leaflet is written by CAB experts and sponsored by Sun Life Direct, with the aim of ensuring people don’t miss out on benefits available in retirement.
Official figures show that up to £20 billion in means-tested benefits and tax credits go unclaimed every year, while older people are most likely to be missing out on pension credit and council tax benefit.
As many as 1.6 million pensioners are missing out on an average of £34 a week in pension credit, while up to 2.9 million households in all age groups are missing out on an average £14 a week in council tax benefit.
Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said: “This huge amount of unclaimed benefit adds up to millions of people missing out on the help they should be getting to make ends meet. Many people find that their income goes down as they get older and they either cut down their working hours or choose to retire, so it makes sense to find out ways to increase your income and reduce your outgoings before then.
“We want to make sure people don’t miss out on benefits they may be entitled to. With the cost of living going up by the day and people feeling a real squeeze on household budgets, it’s more important than ever they know what extra help’s available and how to claim it.”
The 'Help yourself to prepare for later life' outlines all the help available and people can pick one up from their local CAB, where they can also get a free, confidential and independent benefit check.
(DW)
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Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
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Study shows benefits of bank account benefits
Independent research published today shows that 90% of people prefer having benefits put directly into a bank account, according to a Downing Street spokesperson. The Direct Payment system is now on track to reach 85% of pensioners, mothers, carers and jobseekers by April 2005.
01 March 2004
Pensioners urged to claim full benefits entitlements
Pensioners have been urged to claim a council tax benefit which could save them an average of £426 a year. According to the government, less than half of home-owning pensioners are claiming the money they should get, and some are even missing out on a full refund. Government figures reveal that as many as 1.
Pensioners urged to claim full benefits entitlements
Pensioners have been urged to claim a council tax benefit which could save them an average of £426 a year. According to the government, less than half of home-owning pensioners are claiming the money they should get, and some are even missing out on a full refund. Government figures reveal that as many as 1.
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