Millions of older people living in poverty
- 17 Oct
Charity Age UK claims that over a million pensioners are living in poverty, which is partly due to their failure to claim benefits.
A new report has found that 1.6m pensioners in the UK are living below the poverty line and are "floundering" on low incomes, reports the BBC.
The report, called How We Can End Pensioner Poverty, said that many pensioners "had been walking a tightrope in recent years," as food and utility bills have risen, however the biggest caus
e of poverty was that people are missing out on £5.5bn worth of public support.The report revealed that:
• 1.6m pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit, worth £33 a week
• 2.2m pensioners are missing out on Council Tax Benefit, worth an average £728 a year
• 390,000 pensioners could have claimed Housing Benefit, worth £48 a week
"It is nothing short of a scandal that there are still so many vulnerable older people in the UK living in poverty - unable to afford decent food, heat their home or live an independent life - when billions of pounds in benefits are unclaimed," said Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK.
"We are absolutely determined to make sure that pensioners receive the full support they are entitled to - with as little hassle as possible," the spokesman said.
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