Over-complex benefits system means 2,500 Oldham area pensioners lose out

3.21.23pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 14th Aug 2008

Over 2,500 pensioners in the Oldham area are living in poverty because they are not getting the benefits they are entitled to, the Liberal Democrats have revealed.

In a Parliamentary answer to the Liberal Democrats, the Government has disclosed that 700,000 pensioners would be lifted out of poverty if they claimed all of the money that they are entitled to. This equates to over 2,500 pensioners living in poverty in the Oldham area alone.

Hundreds of thousands of pensioners nationwide are put off claiming benefits by complex forms and lengthy phone applications, while many assume they aren't entitled to any extra help.

Commenting, Oldham East & Saddleworth Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson Elwyn Watkins, said, "The benefits system is so complex it is failing the pensioners it is supposed to be helping.

"Benefits must be simplified to ensure that pensioners get the cash they so desperately need.

"The Government must stop dragging its feet and restore the link between the state pension and earnings immediately. This will ensure all pensioners are better off."