Independent Age

@independentage

UK charity tackling the hidden reality of poverty in later life with advice, campaigns and grants. Call our free Helpline on 0800 319 6789

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Independent Age@independentage· Jul 15

Our social safety net is leaving too many older people cutting essentials and struggling to get by. Increasing social security take-up is an important and achievable step the UK Govt must take in ensuring everyone has an adequate income in later life. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

A hand holding an open purse full of coins illustrates a quote from Deborah, 70 which reads: “My life has been totally transformed. I don’t have to worry about every pound anymore; I can buy fresh food, afford my heating and pay back my debts. I don’t have to rely on my son like I did before.”

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 15

Alongside financial security, increased take-up rates could help improve health and lead to a reduction in public spending on health and social care. An adequate income would mean fewer cuts to essentials which risk health and wellbeing. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Text reads: Increasing take-up of Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction could save up to £790 million a year across health and social care public spending in England.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 15

Despite its potential, improving take-up rates alone won't end pensioner poverty. We've found that even with 100% take-up, hundreds of thousands of older people would remain in poverty. Our social safety net needs urgent attention if it is to meet needs. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Text reads: Even with increased take-up of Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, 772,000 older people would receive more support but remain in poverty.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 15

Increasing entitlement take-up would particularly help three groups: older people living alone, those on the old State Pension and older renters like Valerie. These are groups more at risk of poverty in later life who may rely on the social safety net. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Two credit cards illustrate a quote from Valerie, 68 which reads: “Life is so much better now. I still budget carefully, but I’m not living on my credit card anymore.”

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 15

Too many older people are struggling; unaware they're missing out. Increasing Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction to 100% take-up could help millions of older people in financial hardship and lift 280,000 out of poverty. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Text reads: Increasing take-up of Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction could help 2.5 million older people living in financial hardship across the UK.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 15

Our new research shows that a take-up strategy could be transformative for millions of older people in financial hardship currently missing out. And could also lead to a reduction in England's health and social care costs alongside boosted incomes. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

An older woman with short grey hair looks thoughtfully into the camera. She wears a cable knit green turtle neck jumper and holds a mug in her hands. Text reads: The only way is up. Increasing take-up of three key pensioner entitlements – Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction – could lift 280,000 older people out of poverty. Too many older people are missing out on billions of pounds of support. Independent Age is calling on the UK Government to commit to an all-entitlements take-up strategy to help tackle pensioner poverty.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 13

Last week, we attended #LGAConf26 to share more about our new research on Council Tax Reduction (CTR). Our report highlights the challenges around accessing CTR and how the UK Govt can work with local authorities to increase take-up. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Independent Age colleagues, David, Beth and Emma smile warmly as they pose in front of a booth decorated with Independent Age banners, guides and reports at the LGA Conference.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 12

Best of luck to the brilliant Independent Age fundraising team taking part in the #SauconyLondon10K! We are all rooting for you! 🏃👟 🎉🥇 Want to run for Independent Age? Learn about our latest fundraising opportunities: https://www.independentage.org/support-us/fundraising

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 11

1 in 5 older people in England and Wales has cut how much water they use because of costs 🚰 Nobody should have to ration this essential to get by but that's the case for too many. Sign the #TappedOut petition to call for change: https://campaigns.independentage.org/page/187255/petition/1

TV chef Rustie Lee tilts her head slightly as she grins, she has short black hair and wears a bright patterned orange shirt and chunky necklace. A quote from her reads: "More needs to be done to protect older people on low incomes from rising water bills. I hope for a future where nobody has to ration their water usage because their bills are too high."

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 10

Support older people in your job or community? We're here to help. All of our guides are free and full of expert information. They're available in different formats and can also be sent straight to your door. Take a look at our advice guides today: www.independentage.org/get-advice/a...

An anonymous quote from an older person reads: "I am struggling with the cost of living and I had no clue how to see what I am entitled to until I received your help. I am very grateful."

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 8

#OlderScotlandIndex26: Just 1 in 4 older Scots believe the State Pension is enough to cover basic living expenses. Too many older people are scraping by. We need a pensioner poverty strategy to ensure we can live well in older age with an adequate income. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

A quote from June, 69 reads: "I just want to be healthy, happy and get on with things the best I can instead of always worrying that I can't do this and I can't do that."

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 7

Alongside our work helping older people access the support they need, we also campaign to improve later life for all. From challenging the Winter Fuel Payment decision to improving renters' rights, with your help we can continue to make a difference: https://www.independentage.org/campaign-with-us

A large group of campaigners from Independent Age stand outside a pub used as part of a stunt. They smile warmly and hold various placards calling for fair water bills for everyone.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

We spent today in Parliament sharing important conversations around ending poverty in later life. A special thanks to our speakers @annadixonmp.bsky.social @joanna-elson.bsky.social @andrewharrop.bsky.social @torstenbell.bsky.social Paula & Chair of Trustees Richard Anderson www.independentage.org

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

Independent Age's Chair of Trustees Richard Anderson calls on attendees to work together to support older people in financial hardship: "The scale of the problem is significant but solutions exist. Everyone in this room is playing their part to end poverty in later life."

Independent Age's Chair of Trustees, Richard Anderson brings the charity's parliamentary event speeches to a close.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

With our heat map, MPs can see the rate of Council Tax Reduction (CTR) take-up in their local authority 🔍 Increasing CTR take-up could lift 74,000 older households in England out of poverty. Check your area today: datawrapper.dwcdn.net/WTpPi/5/

Independent Age colleagues talk through research on Council Tax Reduction as they stand next to a map highlighting the level of take-up per different local authority.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

Today we're encouraging MPs to step into the shoes of an older person on a low income. With a limited income to spend, players have to navigate how emergency bills, the cost of living and more stretch their budgets.

A person's hands place coloured counters onto a boardgame propped on an easel. The counters represent different amounts of money that the player can place on areas including food, holidays and leisure, other expenses, helping friends and family, clothing and personal, transport, housing and household bills.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

Minister for Pensions @torstenbell.bsky.social joined us to discuss the need for change for pensioners now and tomorrow: "There’s lots to celebrate from the last 25 years but there’s no grounds for complacency...take-up is one really important part but we need action for the future"

Torsten Bell MP speaks at Independent Age's parliamentary event. He wears a navy suit and moves his arms as he talks to the audience.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

In England, despite its potential to reduce a bill to £0, just half of eligible older people receive Council Tax Reduction. But improving entitlement access can be transformative. The UK Govt must work with others to increase take-up. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Steve, 69, smiles as he sits outside. He wears glasses and a dark fleece. A quote from him reads: “The price of everything keeps going up and not having to worry about Council Tax means I have that extra money to cope with the rising cost of living.”

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

#OlderScotlandIndex26 highlights the need for change to our social security system. With 1 in 5 older Scots on an income of less than £15,000 a year, entitlements should be there to support those in need but awareness is still far too low. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Text reads: Less than half of older people in Scotland are confident that they know how to apply for financial support they’re entitled to

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

We regularly hear of the challenges older people face when trying to navigate our social security system. The process can be complicated and overwhelming with an older person needing to answer up to 450 questions in order to receive all their entitlements www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

A pink piggy bank has been smashed open with a hammer that’s laying next to it. A quote from an Independent Age adviser reads: “There is definitely a massive gap between what older people are entitled to and what they receive.”

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

Every week our Helpline hears from older people who are cutting essentials to make ends meet. Nobody should have to skip meals or wash less to manage their bills but that's the reality for too many. Today we're showing decision makers how we can improve later life for all.

Text reads: 1 in 5 older people on a low income in Great Britain would find it difficult or impossible to cover an unexpected bill of £50 without borrowing money.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

Independent Age helped Paula apply for Attendance Allowance which went on to allow her to access increased Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction. "Independent Age, in my opinion is second to none. I was lucky to get help, but I know many are struggling. Please, I beg you, do not fail us."

Paula, from another angle, continues with her speech as the attendees look on.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

Paula joins us this afternoon to share her experiences of living on a low income: "After a lifetime of hard work and paying a considerable amount of money into the system over the years, this is what I was reduced to, in what should be my glory years. Not living, existing."

Paula, an older woman wearing a long brown and white spotted dress, shares her experiences of living on a low income with attendees at Independent Age's parliamentary event.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

CEO @joanna-elson.bsky.social: "Through our Helpline and the charities we fund, we hear about the challenges millions of older people are facing. Support like Pension Credit can be really transformative but take-up is low and leaves a massive number struggling."

Independent Age's Chief Executive addresses attendees at the charity's parliamentary event.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

"We know there is still a shame attached to claiming entitlements, the process is complex...So I’m very pleased to be hosting this event to highlight the importance of increasing the take-up of entitlements." A huge thank you to @annadixonmp.bsky.social for sponsoring our event today.

MP Anna Dixon welcomes attendees to Independent Age's parliamentary event. She stands on a podium and is wearing a red jacket with a navy blue dress with white circular pattern.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 6

There are 1.7 million older people living in poverty in the UK and a million more hovering on the brink. It doesn't have to be this way. Today we're in Parliament to share ideas, research and real experiences to show how we can end poverty in later life. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

A group of people with mixed ages stand talking to each other at Independent Age's parliamentary event.

Independent Age's parliamentary event shows a busy room full of people in conversation.

A photographer takes a photo of Kate Osborne MP against an Independent Age banner. She holds a placard that reads: "I will support changes that reduce poverty in later life in Jarrow and Gateshead East"

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 4

While Council Tax is becoming increasingly unmanageable for many older people, awareness of support is too low. The UK Govt and local authorities must work to increase take-up of this transformative support https://www.independentage.org/policy-and-research/research-reports/missing-out-on-millions

A bill saying £0 emerges from an envelope. Text reads: For older people who qualify, Council Tax Reduction can take a bill averaging £2,392 to £0.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 3

People like Helen help us be there for the older people we support every day. Fundraising comes in all shapes and sizes but every effort makes a huge difference for our work. Read Helen's story and take on a challenge today: https://www.independentage.org/support-us/fundraising/helen

Helen, an Independent Age fundraiser with a blonde bob and wearing an Independent Age running vest, grins as she runs through a green space. A quote from her reads: "I've seen how many older people and their families struggle financially and emotionally. Independent Age's work makes a huge difference, and I hope my run can raise awareness and funds for their work."

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 2

Too many older people are cutting their water usage to manage soaring costs. The UK Govt must introduce a national social tariff to ensure older people on a low income receive consistent support to afford this essential. Sign the #TappedOut petition 🖋️ campaigns.independentage.org/page/187255/...

Small icons illustrate three stats which read: People over 65 in England and Wales are cutting back to manage the cost of their water bill, with 3 in 10 flushing the toilet less, 1 in 4 spending less time in the shower, and 1 in 6 showering less often.

Independent Age@independentage· Jul 1

How much do you know about the Renters' Rights Act? Make sure you and the older people in your life are up to date with the new changes. From the end of no-fault evictions to keeping a pet, find out more:https://www.independentage.org/get-advice/housing/housing-options/renting-privately