MOORE URGES PENSIONERS TO CLAIM BENEFITS

12.38.04pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th Jun 2007

Local MP Michael Moore is urging Borders pensioners to check that they are receiving all the benefits and credits to which they are entitled. His call follows the release yesterday of a new study which claims that one in three older people in the UK believe their quality of life has worsened in the past year. A report by Help the Aged has found that, although more than half of all pensioners are entitled to one or more means-tested benefit, the complicated and bureaucratic process is leaving over £4 billion unclaimed each year. The most recent figures suggest that over 20% of pensioners are not claiming their pension credits.

Commenting, Mr Moore said:

"The Government's benefits system is clearly over-complicated, and the excessive paperwork involved is putting pensioners off claiming their entitlement. Organisations such as Help the Aged offer pensioners clear and impartial advice about claiming credits, and I urge my older constituents in the Borders to contact them for the information and help they need to make this complicated process a little easier."