Thousands still misssing out on Pension Credit in York (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Thousands still misssing out on Pension Credit in York

February 18, 2005 2:20 PM

A leading Liberal Democrat has today called on the government to do more to help York pensioners to claim the money they are entitled to.

Councillor (Cllr.) Sue Galloway, executive member for social services and health has expressed her dissatisfaction that almost 2000 pensioner households in York are not claiming Pension Credit even though they are entitled to it.

Figures compiled by the Lib Dems nationally estimate that 1788 elderly households in York are not claiming Pension Credit despite being entitled to it.

Sue Galloway and Ian Cuthbertson outside Hebden Rise

York Lib Dems are concerned about pensioners welfare

Pension Credit was introduced in 2003 as part of a government drive towards expanding means testing of benefits. Since its introduction, levels of Pension Credit take up have steadily slowed and have now stalled at 70%. A major problem with the credit is that many older people are unwilling to complete the complex forms. This tends to be either because they find the form too complicated or feel that revealing private information about their personal circumstances is demeaning.

Nationally, the Liberal Democrats would guarantee £100 a month more on the pension at 75, over £130 a month for couples over 75, lifting a million pensioners out of means-testing at a stroke.

Cllr. Sue Galloway said:

"New take up of Pension Credit has now slowed to a trickle. It is clear from these figures that the government must do more to promote Pension Credit to older people. It can make a huge difference to an older person's standard of living and it is money that is rightfully theirs.

"Pensioners continue to get a bad deal from this Government. Schemes such as the Pension Credit are complex and confusing. Rather than forcing pensioners to apply for means-tested benefits the Government should be making sure that every pensioner gets a good basic pension.

"I urge people who are 60 or over to contact the Pension Credit hotline which is a Freephone number - 0800 99 1234 - now to make enquires."