Age UK Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin have contacted us about a really important change to benefits which may leave many couples worse off. They are urging any couples who may be affected by these changes i.e. where one of them is under state pension age and one is over, to contact them as soon as possible so that they can help you make the right claims.
What is happening?
Couples come in all shapes and sizes – and all ages too. Some are the same age as each other and others are at different stages of their lives.
Currently when couples claiming benefits have an age gap between them, this is what happens:
- When the older partner reaches State Pension age, the couple stops receiving working age benefits.
- They start receiving pension age benefits instead.
Pensioner benefits are higher so this makes quite a difference to the couple’s overall income, but the Government has decided to change this system – the latest in a long line of stealthy cuts to hit older people who are not very well off. If it’s allowed to happen it will increase pensioner poverty at a stroke.
You can contact Age UK Shropshire Telford and Wrekin by calling 01743 233123 (Monday – Friday, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm) or
using this contact form https://www.ageuk.org.uk/shropshireandtelford/about-us/contact-us/
Watch out for the Age Gap Tax
The Government is planning to change the way benefits are given to couples if there’s an age gap between them.
If the change is allowed to go ahead many of the poorest older people in the country could be a staggering £140 worse off a week.
Couples on low incomes shouldn’t have to face this. It’s deeply unfair. We’re urging the Government to reverse the decision, and you can help.
If you feel these changes are wrong, you can help Age UK take action by clicking on this link: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/discover/2019/january/challenging-the-governments-age-gap-tax/ and completing this https://campaigns.ageuk.org.uk/page/38161/action/1?ea.tracking.id=tro5tpgmDiscover