Older people in Oldham face a harsh winter this year, with the cost-of-living crisis affecting older people disproportionately.

Over three million households in the UK are eligible to claim Pension Credit, however, over 800,000 of these households don’t claim it. In Greater Manchester £70m in benefits were unclaimed last year, with over £6m unpaid in Oldham.

Oldham’s Labour administration has pledged to ensure that residents in the town will have access to all the support that they are entitled to. Labour is highlighting the importance of taking up Pension Credit entitlement at the Council meeting on the 2^nd November.

Energy bills, food, fuel and household essential prices are rising and many older people in Oldham are forced to choose between staying warm or eating.  Oldham Council has taken action to support those who are most vulnerable during this cost-of-living crisis with a £3m We Can Help Campaign.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Leader of the Council said ‘The government’s support schemes haven’t gone far enough to help vulnerable older people, and the new chancellor’s announcements have done little to give people confidence or stability in the coming months. The continuing chaos in Government means it isn’t clear what extra help will be on offer, but we do know that Pension Credit could help more Oldham pensioners. Labour’s ‘We can help campaign’ is beefing up the Welfare Rights team to help people make an application and we are working with Age Concern to get pensioners the help they need to get through the winter and cope with the Tories’ Cost of Living Crisis.’

Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care added ‘Labour is committing the Council to asking the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to make changes to the benefits system to ensure that eligible residents receive benefits automatically, rather than having to make a claim, and to commit to raising all social security benefits in line with inflation next April. We will also ask the borough’s three MPs to vote in support of keeping the Pensions Triple Lock.’

Residents can talk to the We can help campaign on 0161 770 7007 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, or online at https://www.oldham.gov.uk/wecanhelp