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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/feb/21/pensioners-state-benefits-failing-to-claim
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| Pensioners missing out on state benefits by failing to claim | Pensioners missing out on state benefits by failing to claim |
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| More than half of pensioners could be failing to claim the state benefits they are entitled to – missing out on hundreds of pounds a year as result, according to research. | More than half of pensioners could be failing to claim the state benefits they are entitled to – missing out on hundreds of pounds a year as result, according to research. |
| Equity release firm Just Retirement Solutions said 23% of its clients had not claimed any state benefit they were entitled to, aside from their pension, while a further 33% were not claiming everything they could. In many cases people had failed to claim guaranteed pension credit, which tops up a pensioner's weekly income if it's below £142.70 a week, or council tax benefit, which can reduce the payment by up to 100%. | Equity release firm Just Retirement Solutions said 23% of its clients had not claimed any state benefit they were entitled to, aside from their pension, while a further 33% were not claiming everything they could. In many cases people had failed to claim guaranteed pension credit, which tops up a pensioner's weekly income if it's below £142.70 a week, or council tax benefit, which can reduce the payment by up to 100%. |
| Among Just Retirement Solutions' clients, those not claiming anything were missing out on payments worth an average of £655 a year but in one case £3,631 a year was going unclaimed. Among the third of clients who were not receiving their full entitlement, the average loss was £213 a year, while one client was missing out on benefits worth £2,365 a year. | Among Just Retirement Solutions' clients, those not claiming anything were missing out on payments worth an average of £655 a year but in one case £3,631 a year was going unclaimed. Among the third of clients who were not receiving their full entitlement, the average loss was £213 a year, while one client was missing out on benefits worth £2,365 a year. |
| This is the third year the firm has published figures and the numbers failing to claim continue to increase. The data is based on 250 potential customers, all of whom went through a full fact find with a specialist adviser. | This is the third year the firm has published figures and the numbers failing to claim continue to increase. The data is based on 250 potential customers, all of whom went through a full fact find with a specialist adviser. |
| Stephen Lowe, Just Retirement's customer insight director, said: "Many pensioners are struggling to make ends meet due to insufficient pension income and depressed savings returns. | Stephen Lowe, Just Retirement's customer insight director, said: "Many pensioners are struggling to make ends meet due to insufficient pension income and depressed savings returns. |
| "At the same time they are missing out by failing to claim the benefits they should be receiving, often to the tune of hundreds of pounds each year that could make a real difference to their quality of life." | "At the same time they are missing out by failing to claim the benefits they should be receiving, often to the tune of hundreds of pounds each year that could make a real difference to their quality of life." |
| The clients seen by the company are all homeowners and the firm suggested that some thought this would disqualify them from claiming benefits. "These are usually people who had long working lives, bought houses and paid their taxes. Many have never claimed benefits in their lives and really don't know where to start without an expert to help them understand what can seem a hugely complex system," said Lowe. | The clients seen by the company are all homeowners and the firm suggested that some thought this would disqualify them from claiming benefits. "These are usually people who had long working lives, bought houses and paid their taxes. Many have never claimed benefits in their lives and really don't know where to start without an expert to help them understand what can seem a hugely complex system," said Lowe. |
| The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said its figures showed between 1.3 million and 1.58 million people could be missing out on some form of pension credit but that 80% of the poorest pensioners entitled to guaratneed credit were not claiming for it. | The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said its figures showed between 1.3 million and 1.58 million people could be missing out on some form of pension credit but that 80% of the poorest pensioners entitled to guaratneed credit were not claiming for it. |
| The pensions minister, Steve Webb, said: "I am very concerned that too many pensioners are missing out on pension credit and other benefits. During winter it's even more important that people claim so they don't miss out on cold-weather payments. | The pensions minister, Steve Webb, said: "I am very concerned that too many pensioners are missing out on pension credit and other benefits. During winter it's even more important that people claim so they don't miss out on cold-weather payments. |
| "There will always be a need for a safety net but through our state pension reforms and automatic enrolment we will drastically reduce the reliance on means testing in the years to come." | "There will always be a need for a safety net but through our state pension reforms and automatic enrolment we will drastically reduce the reliance on means testing in the years to come." |
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