Parish Rooms, Welcome
Street, Atherstone. CV9 1DU |
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Press release April 2008
PENSIONERS SHOULD ACT NOW TO GET MONEY THEY ARE OWED, SAYS CAB Hard-up pensioners who may be missing out on money they should be getting to help pay basic household bills should act now to beat a new deadline for claims, North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau warned today. Official estimates suggest that up to four in 10 pensioners entitled to pension credit - money paid to top up the basic state retirement pension of £87.30 a week - are not getting the extra cash they are due. As much as £2.5 billion* went unclaimed in the financial year 2005/2006, the most recent year for which figures are available. Many simply assume they do not qualify, or are daunted by the prospect of making a claim. But in many cases they could increase their income by £119.05 a week for a single person or £181.70 a week for a couple. If they claim now, some could also get a substantial lump sum, as payment can currently be backdated for up to a year. But this will change from October if Government plans to cut the backdating period to only three months go ahead. The same new backdating time limit will be applied to council tax benefit, which many pensioners are also missing out - particularly those who are homeowners. Pensioners who get council tax benefit can find their council tax bills substantially reduced or even paid in full, yet official estimates show barely half of those eligible actually claim the money they are due**. CAB manager, Carol Musgrave said: With high council tax bills dropping through any people’s letterboxes on top of huge hikes in the price of gas, electricity and other household bills, many pensioners are finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet. Yet billions of pounds that should be helping them is going unclaimed ever year. “Too many pensioners are missing out on money that is rightfully theirs. We would urge any pensioner worried about money to contact us for a free, confidential benefits check without delay. We can also help with making claims and sorting out any problems to do with pensions, benefits and debts.” More information about pensions and benefits for older people can be found on the Citizens Advice website: www.adviceguide.org.uk or the Pension Service website: www.thepensionservice.co.uk North Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau is a registered charity and we rely on volunteers to deliver our service. If you are interested in volunteering for us, telephone 01827 712852 and ask for Cherryl Green. Advice Line 0844 499 4192. Email: nwcab.advice@cabnet.org.uk Web: www.nwcab.org.uk - End - *Source: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Income-related benefits take-up estimates 05/06; dwb.gov.uk/asd/income_analysis/PC_NSPR0506.pdf **Source DWP Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up enioner caseload take-up of Council Tax Benefit: between 54 per cent and 60 per cent: dwp.gov.uk/asd/income_analysis/sept_2007/0506_CouncilTaxBenefit.pdf Note for editor Contact Carol Musgrave for more information on 01827 718995 |
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