With 1.9 million pensioners already living in poverty the charity Age UK fears that unless something changes, the numbers will pass the two million mark in the next few years.
As winter bites, Age UK’s Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight campaign urges older people to check if they are entitled to extra financial support. Age UK urges every new and existing pensioner to do three things:
● Check your eligibility for Pension Credit and other pensioner benefits.
● Apply early – you can apply up to 4 months before you reach State Pension age.
● Encourage others to check too, especially those on low incomes or struggling with energy and food costs.
Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK said: “As a country we need to do a lot more to tackle poverty among older people, a social ill set to worsen as our population ages we fear, unless something changes and soon. 1.9 million older people are already living in poverty and we worry that this number will pass the two million mark within the next few years,
Age UK urges anyone who’s worried about extra costs this winter to contact 0800 169 6565 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/benefits for support.
