Too many older people are currently living in poverty. Being forced to choose between eating or heating. It doesn't have to be this way.
The government sets aside money to help those most in need of financial support, in the form of Pension Credit. But, despite many calls for change, successive governments have done nothing to reach the people who are entitled to, but do not receive, Pension Credit.
The charity Independent Age has found that raising Pension Credit uptake from around 60% to 100% could lift 440,000 out of poverty. Sadly, poverty in later life has been rising slowly but surely since 2012 and is now at its highest level since 2008 at 18%. Pension Credit can really help the lives of older people living in poverty.
We are calling on the government to take action to ensure that no more older people have to make the touch choices 86 year old, former nurse, Anisah has had to:
"I was hungry sometimes. Much in need of food that would be more healthy but I couldn't afford to buy it. I had to buy the cheapest of whatever was available. Instead of putting on the heating, I often put on more clothing and wore a hat at night so that I could have another cup of tea or something to eat. "
Thanks to Pension Credit, Anisah has seen her quality of life improve.
How you can help
Add your name now to call on the Government to end pensioner poverty by creating a strategy to ensure people who are entitled to Pension Credit, receive it.
