National charities Independent Age and Age UK have joined forces to develop a blueprint for a social security entitlement take-up strategy that could increase the number of low-income households receiving the financial support they desperately need.
The two charities launched the report: Raising Take-up: a template strategy to increase the take-up of social security entitlements, to illustrate what a comprehensive strategy could look like. In the face of stagnating take-up rates – Pension Credit for example has remained at between 60% and 65% take-up for more than a decade – both charities have been calling for the UK Government to introduce a strategy to ensure money that has been set aside reaches eligible older people who need it.
The charities hope the new report will inspire the Government to build on their work and develop its own plans to close the gap between the numbers eligible for financial entitlements and those receiving them.
Government data shows that millions of households are missing out on billions of pounds of vital support that can boost incomes by thousands of pounds a year, including Pension Credit (up to £2.4 billion) Attendance Allowance (£5.2 billion), Carer’s Allowance (£2.4 billion) and Housing Benefit (up to £1.3 billion). This income can mean the difference between living in a cold home and being able to turn on the heating without worrying about spiralling bills, putting food on the table or skipping meals and paying the transport costs to see friends and family to ease isolation.
The report identifies several barriers holding eligible people back from the potentially life-changing income boosts. A lack of awareness of available support, confusion over eligibility, long and complicated applications forms, digital exclusion, stigma and patchy coordination across Government departments all play a part in hindering take-up.
With 13 million people in the UK living in poverty, 1.7 million of whom are of State Pension age, and around a million more older people on low incomes teetering on the brink, the organisations warn that the Government will need to think differently if it is to meet its commitment to increase take-up and tackle poverty among all age groups.
Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson, CBE said: “It is a sign of a failing social security system that the very people it was designed to support don’t receive the financial help they are entitled to.
“Billions of pounds of support is not reaching eligible households to help them cope with spiralling costs – from heating and water to food and rent. People should not have to overcome a maze of complex forms, confusing information or digital barriers to receive the financial support they are entitled to.
“A UK Government take-up strategy would bring together existing efforts, address gaps in support and prove to older people on a low income that there is a clear plan for delivering lasting change. It’s time to fix the holes in the social security safety net that we should all be able to rely on.”
Caroline Abrahams, CBE, Charity Director at Age UK said: “Shameful numbers of older people who are eligible for a range of means-tested and health-related benefits that could transform their lives continue to miss out, and as a society we have arguably accepted this depressing state of affairs as though there is nothing, we can do to change it.
In fact, there undoubtedly is, and that’s why Age UK has been delighted to work with our friends at Independent Age on this report, which makes a compelling case for the development of a government take-up strategy. If the political resolve is there such a strategy could make a real difference.”
Steve (69) describes how his life has improved after receiving social security support with help from Independent Age: “I found it difficult to find information about benefits and understand what you’re entitled to. A friend told me about Independent Age and I decided to call their Helpline to see if I qualified for any benefits.
“I got Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit in the end, and I remember feeling so relieved! Getting those benefits has made a big difference to me. My Council Tax bill was a big worry for me. I used to pay around £1,300 a year. Now that I’ve been awarded Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit, I pay £0 for it!
“Before, I was on a very tight budget for food. I could only afford the basics and would only buy the cheapest items at the supermarket. My fridge was very bare. Now, I can eat fresh and healthy food instead of food out of a tin!”
June is in her late 70s and has Parkinson’s disease was helped by her local Age UK. She struggles with the tremor in her hands and has trouble with balance and co-ordination, which make it difficult for her to do essential everyday tasks like preparing food. Her family encouraged her to apply for Attendance Allowance, but she assumed she wasn’t eligible.
She eventually contacted a local Age UK in the East of England who offered a home visit. The advisor conducted a full benefit entitlement check and helped June complete the Attendance Allowance form – she can’t complete it herself as she finds writing difficult and completing forms daunting. Providing this hand-on, in-person support at her home was essential. She was successful in claiming Attendance Allowance, which in turn makes her eligible for Pension Credit. This makes her eligible for full Council Tax Reduction and health costs like glasses.
In total, the value of these benefits is over £200 per week – over £10,000 per year – plus a back payment. She has used the money on various physical therapies, including for her painful back, and feels her wellbeing has improved. Without this support she feels she wouldn’t know what she is entitled to and couldn’t navigate the benefits system. She said: ‘All of this extra support has improved my state of mind so much and I am just ever so grateful to you.’
Independent Age and Age UK are urging the UK Government to create a targeted and holistic strategy to drive-up take-up rates. The two charities have identified the key features any strategy will need to succeed, including that it covers all social security entitlements, has measurable targets, clear accountability, and robust plans to monitor progress.
The Independent Age/Age UK plan identifies four pillars for action:
Increase awareness and understanding of eligibility, so people know what support they may be entitled to.
Simplify application processes for every entitlement, reducing unnecessary complexity and barriers to claiming.
Streamline and integrate systems, making it easier for people to access multiple entitlements and for public services to work together.
Increase access to advice and support, ensuring people can get practical help to navigate the system and complete applications.
The charities say these actions must be underpinned by a person-centred, system-wide, data-powered and evidence-led approach, ensuring that efforts are shaped around people’s needs, informed by reliable data and focused on what works.