Help for pensioners and carers who live in London
A winter warmer for pensioners and their carers
Victoria Borwick, Deputy Mayor and London Assembly member on our new campaign to make sure older Londoners get the benefits they’re entitled to.
It is sad to think in these difficult times that many pensioners in London may be missing out on an extra £35 a week, or £1,800 a year in pension credits. That’s why we’re running a new campaign to raise awareness and remind older people that they are able to claim.
Around 200,000 pensioners in London are living in poverty and aren’t aware of what benefits they are entitled to. This is the generation who fought for our country after all. To raise awareness of pension credit and other benefits we’ve partnered with Age UK, Carers Trust, and Citizens Advice so that everyone who deserves benefits is able to claim them.
It’s been really cold in the past week and these benefits can help older Londoners with their heating bills. There are a range of benefits and it can be complex to work it out yourself. That’s why we’re saying to people ‘sit down with someone who can help’, contact Age UK or go to your local library and local Citizens Advice Bureau and make sure you are getting what you need.
Relatives and carers are also important, that’s why we are also focusing on them this year. Often carers are the only link many older people have with the outside world. We are keen to help people at this time of year and make sure that older people and their carers don’t miss out.
If you are a pensioner or perhaps know an older Londoner who may be missing out on benefits, call Age UK on 0800 169 6565.
Carers can contact Carers Trust on 0844 800 4361 for advice or visit www.carers.org
