Winter can be a difficult time of year for older people living on low incomes, says UK charity Independent Age.
The organisation offers help for older people facing financial hardship by providing free advice, information, and support to improve their quality of life and ensuring their dignity in later years,
The cost of living is still extremely high and budgets are being stretched across Reading and Wokingham.
This winter the Independent Age helpline has received thousands of calls from distressed older people in financial hardship.
People say they are not washing in order to reduce water costs, are visiting public places to stay warm and are limiting themselves to just one small meal a day.
Independent Age says that It’s not right that those in later life are being forced to choose between heating and eating, with many now cutting back on both.
There is support available for older people living on low incomes in the form of Pension Credit – an income top-up provided by the UK Government that, on average, is worth over £4,000 a year.
Worryingly, the entitlement has a stubbornly low take-up rate.
Latest figures show that the South East of England has the lowest take-up.
Only 56% of eligible older people are receiving Pension Credit.
This means an estimated 120,000 households are missing out on money they are entitled to. Pension Credit isn’t just an income top-up, it also acts as a gateway to other benefits such as free TV licences for over 75s, free NHS prescriptions, council tax support, Housing Benefit, and free eye tests, says the charity.
Borough residents aged 66 and over, and who are worried about their finances, may be entitled to Pension Credit.
Eligibility can be checked by using the Pension Credit Calculator on the government website or by calling: 0800 99 1234.
For extra support, and more information, people can call the free Independent Age helpline: 0800 319 6789.
Further information is available at: independentage.org
