A significant number of pensioners in Bradford and Leeds are failing to access vital financial benefits, such as Pension Credit, due to a reluctance to ask for help. New research from Royal London reveals that more than a third (35%) of pensioners in the region feel uncomfortable or embarrassed when it comes to asking for assistance, even when they need it.
The findings, part of Royal London’s ‘Take The Credit’ campaign, show that more than half (53%) of pensioners in Bradford and Leeds are hesitant to seek support from family or friends, despite the fact that they may be eligible for additional financial help. This reluctance has led to nearly half (42%) of pensioners in the region not checking whether they qualify for Pension Credit this year—missing out on crucial support that could make a significant difference to their financial wellbeing.
Pension Credit is a government benefit that can provide up to £3,900 annually for pensioners on a low income. The benefit is also a gateway to other forms of support, including help with energy bills, housing costs, NHS dental treatment, and the Winter Fuel Payment. However, the research shows that many in Bradford and Leeds are unaware of their eligibility or too embarrassed to apply.
The reluctance to apply for Pension Credit is often tied to a sense of shame or discomfort around asking for help. In Bradford and Leeds, almost 70% (69%) of pensioners who haven’t checked if they qualify for Pension Credit believe they would not be eligible for the benefit, leaving many to miss out on financial support they may desperately need.
Royal London’s research also found that a significant number of pensioners in the region are hesitant to discuss their financial situation with others. Over half (53%) of pensioners in Bradford and Leeds said they wouldn’t feel comfortable asking friends or family for help, even if they needed it, and 35% expressed feeling embarrassed about asking for assistance.
The reluctance to apply for Pension Credit appears to be tied to a broader cultural issue. For many older generations, there’s a deeply ingrained belief that seeking assistance is a sign of weakness or failure. This mindset can prevent pensioners from seeking out the support they need, even when it is readily available.
For pensioners in Bradford and Leeds, Pension Credit could provide crucial financial support. Those who qualify can receive up to £3,900 a year, which can go a long way toward covering everyday living costs. In addition to the cash payment, Pension Credit can also provide access to a range of other benefits, including the Winter Fuel Payment, which helps with heating costs during the winter months, and assistance with energy bills, dental treatment, and housing costs.
However, despite the potential benefits, many pensioners in the region are still not checking whether they qualify. Of those in Bradford and Leeds who have not yet applied, nearly half (42%) have not checked if they are eligible for Pension Credit this year. This is a worrying trend, particularly given that the benefit is a gateway to other forms of support that can help pensioners cope with rising living costs.
To help pensioners access the support they deserve, Royal London has partnered with the charity Turn2Us to offer a free, easy-to-use online calculator that can help pensioners quickly check whether they might qualify for Pension Credit. The calculator, which takes just two minutes to complete, is available on the Royal London website. For those who are not comfortable using the internet, pensioners can also apply for Pension Credit by phone or post.
Royal London’s ‘Take The Credit’ campaign is calling on families, friends, and communities to help raise awareness about Pension Credit and encourage pensioners to check whether they qualify for the benefit. The hope is that by providing the right information and support, more pensioners will feel empowered to apply for the benefits they deserve.
With winter approaching and energy bills continuing to rise, now is the time for pensioners in Bradford, Leeds, and across the UK to check if they qualify for Pension Credit and other vital forms of financial support. Royal London is urging those who may be eligible to take action before 21 December, 2024, to ensure they can benefit from the Winter Fuel Payment this winter.
Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London said: “The Government’s decision around the Winter Fuel payments has brought into sharp focus the importance of applying for Pension Credit. Not only does it give pensioners on a low income extra money, but it entitles them to extra help with, for example, energy and housing costs. However, too many pensioners – approximately three quarters of a million – are still missing out on this financial support.
“Our research shows that more than three in ten pensioners on a low income haven’t checked if they qualify for this benefit. Some of the main reasons people miss out on Pension Credit are because they don’t think they would qualify, or they don’t check because they feel too ashamed to admit they need extra help. We need to spread the message that there is no shame in accepting help that is available.
“There is also a significant generational gap in awareness, which means family and friends aren’t prompting their loved ones to check if they qualify.
“The good news is that there are free-to-use online tools and calculators, for those who are comfortable using the internet, but you can also apply by telephone or post. Times have been hard in recent years so it’s important that we come together and encourage pensioners, whether they be family, friends or neighbours, to look into all the options of support that might be available.
“Retirement should be a time for people to spend their days doing things they enjoy once their working life is behind them. Pension Credit can provide some additional funds to enable pensioners to worry a bit less about the day-to-day bills.
“Whether you’re a pensioner, or know someone that might qualify, checking what help may be available is a simple step to take today that could have immeasurable benefits. This is why we are encouraging as many people as possible to consider if they or a loved one could ‘take the credit’, and check whether they qualify.”
Emma Kenny, Psychologist said: “It seems that many pensioners are missing out on financial support they are entitled to because they feel ashamed or reluctant to ask for help. For many, there’s a stigma around seeking assistance, often rooted in the belief that it’s a sign of failure or that others might need it more. This is particularly true for older generations who were raised to value self-reliance and may see asking for help as a loss of independence or dignity, when, in fact it means that they are taking control which is ultimately an empowering action to take.
“What’s important to understand is that schemes like Pension Credit aren’t handouts, they’re a recognition of the contributions people have made throughout their lives, these funds could make such a significant difference to someone’s quality of life.
“We need to shift the narrative around support, encouraging people to see it as something they’ve earned and deserve. No one should feel shame for seeking the help they need to live with dignity and comfort in later life.”
