PENSIONERS ARE MISSING OUT

Nearly 4,000 pensioners in Derby could be missing out on extra cash after failing to claim a new credit. The Government launched its new pension credit in October 2003, promising to give more money to a million OAPs within the first year. The city council now estimates that of the 11,500 Derby people who could claim the benefit, 3,910 are missing out. This is based on figures from the Pension Service, which says there is a 66% take-up rate in this area. Harold Cox, chairman of Southern Derbyshire Pensioners' Association, thinks people are unwilling to fill out the 10-page form and disclose their personal and financial details. Some of them may be waiting to receive notification from the Pension Service that it is time to apply, but others simply think they are asking for charity.

"Of course it isn't charity," said Mr Cox. "This money is something that people are entitled to. If people come to us and we help them fill the form in, it isn't like talking to a stranger and the information will not go any further." Pension Service spokesman Chris Leech believes many people who have not claimed are waiting for the forms. The application process has been staggered so the Government is not inundated with requests. But council advice service manager David Brewin believes pensioners should apply now and find out if they can get the money they are eligible to receive - even if it creates more work for the service. The council held a take-up campaign involving the Pension Service, pensioners' groups and volunteers. They dealt with 859 new claims, including 731 for pension credit.

Mr Brewin added, "We're extremely pleased with these results and it shows just how many people could be entitled to extra cash. We've also had large numbers of inquiries since the campaign from people who will be entitled. I'd encourage anyone who could be entitled to make a claim." For more information and help filling in the form, call Southern Derbyshire Pensioners' Association on 01332 290174 or the council's advice service on 01332 256556.

Pension Credit is a new entitlement for people 60 or over which is made up of guarantee credit and savings credit. Guarantee credit is for people aged 60-plus and guarantees them an income of at least £109.45 a week if single - or £167.05 a week if you have a partner. It is similar to income support in that if your income is below a certain level, guarantee credit will top you up to that amount. There is no upper limit on the savings you can have to qualify for guarantee credit, although it can reduce the amount of weekly benefit someone can receive. Savings credit is for people who are aged 65 and over who have a small amount of income or savings.

Savings up to £6,000 are ignored, whereas any income above that figure is assumed to produce a weekly income of £1 for every £500 over the limit. When working out weekly income, the Pension Service only includes pensions, including State Pension, a work pension or a personal pension, certain benefits like carer's allowance and bereavement benefit and earnings from a job. Types of income which are not counted include attendance allowance, disability living allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

Pensioner Ivy Allen starved to death because her council home had no letterbox so her pension could not be delivered. Ivy was penniless and had barely drunk or eaten in the last three months of her life. There was not a scrap of food in the house when her emaciated body was found. None of the welfare agencies, nor her 10 children or 30 grandchildren were aware of her plight. She was left broke when the door of her one-bedroom council bungalow was replaced without a post box. Her benefits book and giro cheques were returned by Royal Mail to the pensions office and officials there failed to tell anyone that she was not receiving any money. Ivy's family admit their failings in the months leading to her death but they are also angry that she was allowed to slip through the welfare net.

Daughter Sandra Murphy said, "Mum was always independent and social services were meant to be keeping an eye on her. They weren't. If we'd known her benefits were cut and the care visits had stopped, we would have been round there in a flash. But not one person thought to tell us. A simple phone call would have saved her life." Ivy's body was found at her home in Warrington, Cheshire, when a housing official went to find out why her rent had not been paid for six months. Grandson Anthony Bradbury said, "She was a wonderful person, so caring. But she was a proud woman and would never have asked for help." Ivy, who could not read or write, began having problems when second husband Jim O'Hara died. She was shattered by the loss.

She was visited by a care worker but as her mental state worsened, she started to refuse help. Two months later, she was admitted to hospital with malnutrition. She discharged herself without her family being warned. Warrington council said they tried to put a post box on Ivy's door but had not been able to get in to do the work. Spokeswoman Pam Smith added, "People have a right to refuse help. While they are capable of making that decision, we are powerless to intervene." The Department of Work and Pensions promised to launch an inquiry. (Source: Daily Mirror)