The Mayor of London, , is joining forces with Age UK
London and boroughs across the city to ensure older Londoners are
able to access the financial support they are entitled to, as the
cost of living crisis worsens.
Sadiq has worked in partnership with local Age UK charities and
the national Age UK Advice Line to produce materials that will
help make older Londoners aware of the benefits available to
them, ensure they know how to apply for Pension Credit, and
signpost them to help and support with their applications.
The government provides Pension Credit to people of state pension
age on low incomes, with those who claim it receiving on average
£140 a month. In addition to providing extra money for older
Londoners on low-incomes, receipt of Pension Credit also unlocks
a range of further support, including with energy and council tax
bills.
But Greater London Authority estimates indicate that about 96,000
older Londoners who are entitled to top up their income with
Pension Credit are not claiming it.
Estimates suggest the highest proportion of older Londoners
entitled to, but not claiming, Pension Credit live in Tower
Hamlets and Hackney. To support older Londoners, the Mayor worked
with Hackney Council to deliver postcards to
100,000 households (1) in the borough, urging eligible
people to apply.
The support from City Hall and Age UK London comes amid the
deepening cost of living crisis across the UK, which is hitting
the most vulnerable Londoners hardest. Government data highlights
that older people across the country are struggling to get by
when they could be eligible for crucial financial support.
Even before the latest crisis, more than a million older people
in Britain were already living in fuel poverty and many more
risked their health by rationing food and heating to keep bills
down.
The Mayor continues to do all he can to support Londoners and
help tackle the cost of living crisis in the capital,
including starting record numbers of affordable homes,
quadrupling the number of Living Wage accredited employers
and continuing the TfL Hopper fare. He also urges the Government
to do more to tackle the rising cost of living and help those
most in need.
The Mayor of London, , said, “The spiralling
cost of living is having a huge impact on Londoners, and with
bills set to rise further in the coming weeks, this burden is
going to become even greater for some of the most vulnerable
people in our city.
“That’s why I’ve teamed up with Age UK and boroughs to ensure
older Londoners are aware of Pension Credit and know how to
claim all the money and benefits they are rightly
entitled to. We know that many older Londoners are
struggling financially, and many may not know they are
eligible for this top up or how to claim it.
“I will continue to do all I can to support Londoners, but we
need the Government to step forward with urgent measures to help
people through this crisis.”
Chief Executive Officer, Age UK London, Abi Wood,
said: “It has never been more important to raise
awareness of Pension Credit in London. London has the highest
rate of poverty among people of pensionable age in the country
and there has been a steep increase in poverty among older
Londoners in recent years. Poverty is complicated, it’s
persistent, it isn’t always visible and it’s hard to escape. As
well as helping with the rising cost of food and heating bills,
claiming Pension Credit can also open doors to other forms of
support for older people.”
Notes to editors:
More information on Pension Credits can be found here
If you would like to speak to someone for more information on
Pension Credit, please call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 055
6112.
Along with extra income, Pension Credit entitles recipients to:
- A £25 Cold Weather Payment (when the temperature is 0°C or
below for seven days in a row).
- Housing Benefit to private renters
- Possible help with mortgage interest, ground rent and service
charges to homeowners
- Council Tax discounts (unless other people live with them).
- Carer Premium; or Carer Addition, if they have caring
responsibilities
- A free TV licence, if they are aged 75 or over.
- Possible access to low cost broadband and phone services.
- The postcards were delivered as an insert of Hackney Life on
or around 14th February
