OLDER people are missing out on vital support that could transform their lives.
Age UK South Gloucestershire has revealed that millions of pounds in Government benefits go unclaimed, often due to a lack of awareness and complex application processes.
Instead, people are either living in hardship or being forced into care homes.
Mark Flower, chief executive of Age UK South Gloucestershire, said: "From Pension Credit to Housing Benefit and many other entitlements, it is clear from our work that many of the UK’s pensioners are both living in poverty and not accessing the benefits which they could be claiming.
"When you see some of the conditions in which our elderly are living, often due to lack of understanding of opportunities and processes, it is extremely upsetting."
In the past year, the charity secured more than £2 million in extra benefits for older people in the county.
The charity says that Attendance Allowance, which provides potentially more than £100 a week of tax-free, non-means-tested personal support for disabled or ill people, is being 'sorely unused'.
Mr Flower said: "Across the UK the figure for unclaimed benefits for our elderly population stands at around £3.5 billion.
"These people have lived and worked in the UK for decades and to see this money not being used is a real shame.
"Much of the time these older people don’t know what they need or want until we show them what they can have.
"From digital support to combat loneliness, to physical and medical help, to cleaning and gardening – there’s so much available for people with the confidence to ask."
The charity says that the 42-page application form for Attendance Allowance and a six-month restriction for incorrect applications put many people off applying.
Age UK South Gloucestershire is hosting the Agewell Community Fair at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall from 10am to 3pm on Tuesday, April 21, to help raise awareness of available support.
The event will bring together health workers, home care providers, safety experts and mobility specialists to answer questions and offer guidance.
Mr Flower said: "The worst thing is to see people who think there is no help at hand, or those who have tried but failed because of the complications of the application process."
For more information, visit the Age UK South Gloucestershire website.
