Pension credit take-up: rural pensioners left out in the cold!

2:15pm Tuesday, 18th December 2007

Our latest State of the Countryside update includes new information about the take-up of pension credit in rural England:

  • 42% of all eligible rural pensioners are non-recipients of pension credit
  • in villages, hamlets and isolated dwellings it's 54%
  • we estimate that more than 250,000 pensioners in rural areas are not claiming their entitlement.

We're encouraging organisations in rural communities to work with us to ensure that people in rural areas are aware of their entitlement. Increased take-up of benefits could reduce pensioner poverty dramatically.


Read the full press release


This State of the Countryside update is part of our ongoing work to tackle specific aspects of rural disadvantage. In the new year we'll be producing new information which shows how, working alongside the financial services sector, positive steps can be taken to promote financial inclusion in rural areas .

Comments

1
I have just read the report available on line. It repeatedly refers to theDepartment of Work and Pensions. The department's name is Department for Work and Pensions
Posted by  at 4:38pm on Wednesday, 19th December 2007
2
Rather than pointing out a minor difference in the title of the Department, perhaps it would be more effective for the department to work effectively with rural pensioners and help them claim their entitlement?
Posted by  at 5:14pm on Wednesday, 19th December 2007
3
Thanks for your comments.

We're sorry about this unfortunate mistake. Hopefully it didn't affect the meaning of what was written.
Posted by  at 10:45am on Monday, 24th December 2007
4
In the area where I live people have died waiting for a visit from the Pension Service because they are so far behind with their work. The Pension Service will not however allocate "their" work to other partner organisations with whom they work to help speed things up - yet it isn't hard to do a Pension Credit claim. Is more joint working the answer? 
Posted by  at 11:46am on Friday, 7th March 2008
5
Thanks for your comment. The situation you've decribed is tragic - perhaps your suggestion is a good approach. We'll pass your comments on to our policy teams.
Posted by  at 11:29am on Monday, 10th March 2008
6

My mother and father dreamt about living in the country side when they retired, but when this became a reality they simply didnt enjoy the life as the community was so "down" plus the cost of running a house increased with the need for higher heating bills etc. They have now packed up a left the uk for sunnier climits in southern spain. They transfered their pension to a Qrops  and used a lump sum to purchase a small apartment. They have never been happier. They live just outside Almeria where it has the feel of open country side but life is much better and cheaper. They are not wealthy by a long shot


(This comment has been edited in line with our terms and conditions)

Posted by  at 12:52pm on Tuesday, 14th October 2008
7

l think it is disgusting that pension credit cannot be exported to other European countries and Winter fuel allowance. We have freedom of movement between the countries yet  English pensioners living abroad get less than pensioners living in England why is this they have all paid the contributions.

Ex pat in Spain

Posted by  at 3:35pm on Thursday, 8th January 2009
8
Thanks for your comment - a good point.
Posted by  at 3:37pm on Thursday, 8th January 2009
9
l agree with the last ex pat comment people wh have paid into the english syste should all get he same treatment and the same benefits its cold in other countries and  not that nuch cheaper but our peoners are living on less its disguting f the English goverment cannot see this  should be got rid of. The Spanish pensioners have better pension and are looked after better
Posted by  at 2:36pm on Monday, 23rd February 2009
10
Thanks for your comment
Posted by  at 2:42pm on Monday, 23rd February 2009
11
I am about to claim pension credit however my wife is a lot younger so do I say she is looking for work when in fact she looks after me? I'm not claiming disability as my disorder is functional and although my Doctor and the hospital understands I cant face attending an assessment! Anyway we can manage on P C. We   still have £9500 savings left, wev'e been living of them for the last year for reasons stated! So, do I just claim for me or say she's not working? What do you think? Many Thanks yours Dilema
Posted by  at 6:46pm on Friday, 8th January 2010
12
Thank you for your comment, you may find useful advice and information on the governments website Directgov - public services all in one place or your local Citizens Advice Bureau office may be able to offer advice.
Posted by  at 2:46pm on Tuesday, 12th January 2010

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