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Policy statements Older people are entitled to a wide range of benefits. Some are means tested, others are not. Unfortunately, however, many benefits available to pensioners have low levels of take-up. Universal benefits tend to have the best rates of take-up as they are simple to understand, usually have clear eligibility criteria, and are not associated with any kind of stigma. Complexity, stigma and lack of information are key factors associated with low take-up of benefits, which can in turn lead to poverty. Help the Aged believes low take-up of benefits is a serious concern. We believe the Government should make improving benefit take-up a key priority. In this section you will find information on the work Help the Aged is doing to improve access to and level of pensioner benefits. You will find information on our policy positions in relation to Pension Credit, Carers' Allowance, the Winter Fuel Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance (including the Mobilise campaign), Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit and other benefits. More specific information on council tax benefit can be found in the Council Tax section. Information on Pension Credit as part of the pensions system and how we would like to see the pensions system changed can be found in the Pensions section. The information in this section relates to the work Help the Aged is doing to lobby and campaign on the issue of pensions and benefits. If you would like practical information about what benefits are available, how to work out if you might be entitled to benefits, or how to claim benefits please visit the Financial Advice section on the main Help the Aged website.
Benefits and take-up (April 2006) Help the Aged policy statement on pensions and benefits, the Government's Pensions Service, means-tested benefits, levels of take-up and measures to help more pensioners receive the pensions they deserve. ^top
The Mobilise campaign briefing calls for the discriminatory rule that prevents people claiming Disability Living Allowance after their 65th birthday to be scrapped. Benefit take-up statistics (February 2005) Analysis on the Department for Work and Pensions published estimates of levels of non-take-up of Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit and the Minimum Income Guarantee.
Submission to Select Committee on Benefits Simplification (March 2007) This submission is in two parts, covering the complexity of the current benefits system and how this could be addressed. The second section covers the complexity of how benefits are delivered and how the processes could be simplified. Submission to Select Committee on Social Fund (March 07) A joint submission with a range of children's charities on how the Social Fund could be improved. The Social Fund provides grants and loans to those on very low incomes to help in crisis situations. Evidence to the Select Committee on the Pension Credit (October 2004) Evidence for the Work and Pensions Select Committee on the launch of the Pension Credit and the work of the Pension Service. BME elders and the benefits system (April 2003) Help the Aged evidence to the Work and Pensions Select Committee showing that the Pension Service is failing to help many older people from black and minority ethnic communities.
Council Tax report (September 2003) A report from the New Policy Institute on the council tax burden on older people and the formulation of future policy recommendations. ^top
Pension Credit take-up (July 2005) Policy Update article on the take-up figures for Pension Credit issued by the Department of Work and Pensions in June 2005, showing that current take-up is behind the Government's stated target. Campaign against age discrimination in disability benefits (September 2004) Article on the backing given to the Mobilise campaign by MPs. Basic state pension favoured over means-testing (April 2004) Summary of a Pension Policy Institute (PPI) report calling for a basic state pension to be paid at a proper level to every citizen regardless of their contribution record. Unclaimed benefits rise to £2.5 billion (February 2004) Article on the amount of unclaimed means-tested benefits in 2001 - 2002. ^top |
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