ABOUT 6,000 elderly people in Oxfordshire are not claiming pension credit despite being entitled to it, Age UK Oxfordshire has said.

The charity said 15,000 are claiming the benefit in the county and called on OAPs to be given more help to get the cash.

It is a means-tested benefit for single people who get less than £148.35 and couples who get less than £226.50 a week.

The charity said the credit could give people an extra £33 a week or £1,700 a year.

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Other benefits OAPs miss out on include housing benefit, attendance allowance and council tax support, it said.

Chief executive Paul Cann, said: “It’s a disgrace that so many vulnerable older people in our community are suffering in silence, unable to afford decent food, heat their home or live an independent life, when billions of pounds in benefits are lying unclaimed.

“People are constantly telling us how much difference the extra money makes, how surprised they are by how straightforward the process is with the help of an adviser, and how much less they worry about everyday bills.”

He called on a “concerted effort” by the Government to help pensioners with access to information.

Council and NHS workers “should be trained to identify those who need help, encourage them to claim their benefits, and make referrals to specialist advisers who can offer support”.

He said: “A comprehensive national strategy is also urgently needed to tackle the scourge of pensioner poverty once and for all.”

The charity is calling on Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith MP to “urgently develop a national pensioner poverty strategy”.

Suzy Drohan, joint manager of Oxfordshire Welfare Rights advice service in Underhill Circus, Barton, Oxford, said many do not know their rights.

She said: “They may have stopped claiming some years ago and their circumstances change and they don’t realise they can go back to it.

“It may be a change in their personal circumstances or income or savings that could make a difference to them claiming.”

Department for Work and Pensions spokesman Alison Clarke said: “Our commitment to protect pensioners means the basic State Pension is at the highest percentage of earnings since 1992.

“We are absolutely determined to make sure pensioners receive the full support they are entitled to with as little hassle as possible.”

  • For help and advice call 0800 99 1234.

WHAT IS PENSION CREDIT?

  • Pension credit is made up of two parts, guarantee credit and savings credit.
  • Guarantee credit tops up the weekly income of single people who have an income of less than £148.35 a week, or
  • couples who get less than £226.50 a week.
  • Savings credit is for those who saved towards their
  • retirement. It can add up to an extra £16.80 for single people and up to £20.70 for couples.
  • The payment takes into account the claimant’s state pension, other pensions, other social security benefits like carer’s allowance, savings and investments.
  • Does not include attendance allowance, Christmas bonus, disability living allowance,
  • personal independence payment, housing benefit and council tax reduction.

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