DWP ‘hundreds of questions’ for elderly to get | European Markets

Unbiased Age has unveiled analysis indicating that aged people making use of for financial assist by 4 key benefit entitlements could possibly be confronted with answering up to 450 questions in a complicated and prolonged software course of. The charity estimates that submitting a new declare for Pension Credit score, Attendance Allowance, Housing Profit or Council Tax Discount may take up to 4 hours with the help of a skilled adviser.

Unbiased Age warns that the method may take even longer with out skilled help. In its latest report, Leaping Via Hoops, the charity delves into the experiences of older people navigating the UK’s social security system.

Complete interviews with low-income aged people revealed that many pensioners are being hindered from receiving their full entitlements due to the extremely complicated system. Unbiased Age discovered that the plethora of out there benefit entitlements can result in confusion, as every requires its own kind, which will be time-consuming to finish, reviews the Day by day File.

The analysis highlighted that sure teams discover the applying course of more daunting, together with these with out web entry, people with mental or bodily health situations, and people with low literacy ranges. It was additionally revealed by interviews that many aged people really feel a sense of disgrace and embarrassment when looking for financial assist, and the prolonged, complicated software course of may discourage many from pursuing assist.

Help mechanisms for older adults, comparable to Pension Credit score and Housing Profit, are witnessing alarmingly low uptake charges. Latest statistics show that solely 65 % of these eligible for Pension Credit score have claimed it, leaving an estimated 760,000 low-income households, or 970,000 people with out the financial help they’re entitled to, which equates to up to £4,200 yearly.

As a outcome, there’s a staggering £1.5 billion in Pension Credit score that continues to be unclaimed. Regardless of steady efforts by earlier UK Governments to raise awareness and encourage more claims for Pension Credit score, together with launching data campaigns, the figures have barely improved.

Equally, with the uptake of Housing Profit standing at simply 83 %, roughly 270,000 senior households will not be claiming what they’re due, resulting in £1.1 billion that goes unclaimed.

The advocacy group for the aged, Unbiased Age, is looking on the UK Authorities to sort out the intricate and difficult social security system with a devoted strategy that may improve the low uptake of advantages. The charity’s Chief Government Joanna Elson CBE expressed deep concern over the present state of affairs: “It is clear that the UK has a social security system that is far too complex and difficult to navigate, and while there are numerous entitlements available, many people in later life are often unable to access potentially life-changing support as a result. Something has to change.”

Elson highlighted the vital need for intervention, indicating: “There are currently around two million older people living in poverty, and a further one million are precariously on the edge. The UK Government and local authorities must work together to drive take-up for benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit.”

She firmly said the need for a coverage motion: “There needs to be an entitlement take up strategy that tears down the barriers that make it so difficult to understand the system, and in some cases, inaccessible for many people in later life.”

Consultants are urging the Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) to simplify the method for claiming financial assist, as many susceptible people are being deterred by the prolonged software course of. Kelly Conlan, Recommendation and Help Supervisor at Unbiased Age, said: “The strategy should include plans to simplify and streamline the application process, people shouldn’t have to spend hours answering hundreds of questions. The DWP should also investigate the feasibility of automating or semi-automating certain entitlements, as this could help get money into the pockets of those who need it.”

Many older people are struggling to make ends meet, and the present system is a important impediment to them accessing the help they require.

Kelly added: “Our helpline regularly receives calls from worried older people who know there is financial support out there but are daunted by the challenge of applying because of the sheer scale and complexity of the process. Older people across the country are sitting in cold homes and only eating one meal a day. It shouldn’t be so difficult to apply for support that could make a huge difference to their quality of life.”

Nevertheless, there’s assist out there. Educated advisers at Unbiased Age offer complimentary welfare benefit checks and help with finishing software varieties.

Anybody involved about their funds can contact Unbiased Age on 0800 319 6789 or discover their assist choices online.