David Cooper, director at Just Group, said the results show an “epidemic” of pensioner homeowners missing out on income they are entitled to claim. He warned that many of these households are likely to be under serious cost-of-living pressure, yet are still leaving thousands of pounds on the table because the support is not automatically paid.
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What pensioners can claim
The support includes pension credit, savings pension credit, council tax reductions and universal credit. Mr Cooper said the key problem is that people assume help will arrive automatically, when in reality many benefits have to be actively claimed. He urged pensioners to check their position properly, saying a five-minute review could unlock thousands of pounds a year.
How to make sure you are not missing out
The Government’s benefits calculator can be used to check eligibility for pension credit, council tax reduction and other help. Pensioners can also contact their local council directly about council tax support, or use the official Pension Credit service online or by phone. Free advice is also available from groups such as Citizens Advice, which can help people work out what they are entitled to and how to apply.
