Pensioners driven to despair by DWP red tape and | European Markets

Aged Brits struggling to entry financial help have spoken out about being “reduced to tears” and even feeling “suicidal” due to the long and sophisticated types required by the Division for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Pensioners making use of for the 4 foremost entitlements – pension credit, attendance allowance, housing benefit, and council tax discount – may face an overwhelming 450 questions, based on stunning investigation by the charity Unbiased Age.

The arduous course of can take over 4 hours with skilled help, and even longer for these struggling via it alone.

One pensioner, 69-year-old Susan, shared her distressing expertise, saying: “Applying for attendance allowance was awful. Reducing me to tears and even making me feel suicidal several times. Not only were the questions difficult to understand, but dwelling on all of the things that I am no longer capable of doing sent me into a very dark place.”

One other aged claimant described the ordeal as “long, tedious, repetitive,” including: “By the time you finish, you feel absolutely awful, mentally exhausted, and worry you won’t get the help.”

The paperwork is having a devastating impression on pensioners who’re entitled to financial assist however are being put off by the advanced system. The latest figures show that solely 65% of eligible pensioners are receiving pension credit, leaving 970,000 weak people lacking out on essential funds.

The end result? A staggering £1.5 billion in unclaimed advantages, equating to a loss of round £1,900 per yr for each family that failed to say pension credit in 2023. Many of these people additionally misplaced entry to the winter fuel cost after it was restricted to low-income pensioners in receipt of means-tested advantages final yr.

Housing benefit take-up is even decrease, with 83% of eligible claimants lacking out. This implies 270,000 older households are struggling unnecessarily, as £1.1 billion in potential help goes unclaimed.

Unbiased Age chief government Joanna Elson has slammed the present system, calling for pressing reforms. She instructed the Huge Concern: “It is clear that the UK has a social security system that is far too complex and difficult to navigate. While there are numerous entitlements available, many people in later life are unable to access potentially life-changing support as a result. Something has to change.”

With round two million pensioners presently residing in poverty and one other million teetering on the brink, campaigners say pressing motion is needed. Elson is demanding a government-led advantages take-up strategy to cut via pink tape and simplify the method. She has additionally urged the DWP to discover automation to make sure funds attain these in determined need.

Kelly Conlan, advice and help supervisor at Unbiased Age, added: “Our helpline regularly receives calls from worried older people who know there is financial support available but are daunted by 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.”

Unbiased Age gives free welfare benefit checks and utility help. When you or a beloved one are struggling, contact their free helpline on 0800 319 6789 or go to their web site for more data.

A DWP spokesperson mentioned:“We have made the process of applying for benefits as accessible as possible such as completing the Pension Credit claim form online now takes on average just 16 minutes while figures published last week show nearly 120,000 more pensioners are receiving it since July.