Many older people are being forced to skip meals, reduce heating, and shower less frequently to save money this winter, according to a warning from Age UK. The charity's research reveals that a third of over-65s are using less electricity, while 35 per cent are turning down their heating. Additionally, 15 per cent are bathing or showering less often, and 5 per cent are skipping meals.
Age UK estimates that 1.9 million older people already live in poverty, a number that could exceed two million without intervention. The charity has launched a campaign called 'crisis hiding in plain sight' to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility for financial support. Many miss out because they assume they won't qualify or find applications daunting.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, called for automatic provision of help for low-income pensioners. 'Ultimately, we need to move to a position in which older people on low incomes do not have to jump through hoops to claim extra help but are given it automatically,' she said. She urged the government to 'turbo-charge' its pension credit take-up drive.
Pension credit tops up incomes for those below £218.15 a week for single people or £332.95 jointly. It also acts as a passport to other benefits, including housing benefit, mortgage support, a free TV licence, and the winter fuel payment. Research group Policy in Practice forecasts that £1.6 billion worth of pension credit will go unclaimed in 2025/26, with over 750,000 pensioners missing out.
Abrahams emphasised the importance of claiming pension credit: 'For any older person trying to live on a small retirement income, every single pound counts and even a small weekly top-up could make a tangible difference.' She urged those reaching state pension age in 2026 or existing pensioners to contact Age UK for help checking their entitlement.
