You might be in for a nice surprise
You could be missing out on extra money each week simply because you don't know about the benefits you are entitled to.
And with so many stories in the headlines in recent times about the credit crunch, high fuel bills and the general cost of living, there's never been a better time to claim everything you're owed.
After all - you deserve it! You've worked hard all your life and paid your dues. You should have more money in your pocket!
It will be a great help when it comes to paying household bills and other essentials like food, heating, taxis, petrol, home repairs, equipment, gardening, cleaning and care services. It will hep you to afford all the extra little things you need to keep you safe and independent.
Please call Age Concern - especially if you're not sure what's available to you, or if you haven't been able to claim money in the past as you might be able to now. Our service is free and completely confidential.
And if you're thinking 'this benefits thing doesn't apply to me', think again as you may be in for a nice surprise!
THE PRICE OF NO ADVICE
Age Concern launched the campaign - The Price of No Advice - because older people are at risk of missing out on the support provided by independent‚ trusted information and advice services.
Although‚ as the report 'Transforming Lives' shows‚ support from information and advice services can greatly improve older people's lives‚ they are under funded or having their funding cut just as the demand for their services is increasing. You can download the full report from the top right of this page.
2.1 million pensioners continue to live in poverty. Fuel prices‚ food and other essential bills are going through the roof making life even more difficult for them. Yet £4.7 billion of income-related benefits and allowances are unclaimed.
In 2007-08 Age Concerns around the country helped older people claim over £100 million in extra money. They need to expand to help tackle pensioner poverty.
Watch the video, "Independent Advice - a lifeline for older people" - 4 older people talk about the difference contact with Age Concern advisers made to their lives.
THE BIG Q CAMPAIGN -
CAMPAIGN FOR SOCIAL CARE IMPROVEMENTS
A "Listening Event" was held on 16th September 2008 at the Marlene Reid Centre in Coalville. Our objective was to get local people to share their views on Social Care issues and to then feedback to local MP, David Taylor, who in turn will be able to take the views to the House of Commons. A Green Paper (outlining proposed changes to Social Care) is due to be published at the end of 2008 and this document is circulated to MPs outside of Government to enable them to make comment prior to a White Paper being produced.
We invited local older people from the North West Area of Leicestershire to come along and join in a discussion/debate regarding Social Care issues. Age Concern staff and some of our Volunteers also attended. Various types of care i.e. Friends and Family, Social Services and Residential Care were included in the discussion. 
A lively debate took place during the morning and several concerns were raised and noted. People shared their personal experiences and the group became aware of areas of care that worked well and other serious issues where care went horribly wrong.
We had invited David Taylor MP for North West Leicestershire to join us for lunch and for the afternoon session. Mr.Taylor listened to our concerns and gave us his views on various aspects of care. He will now, hopefully, be in a better position to comment on issues surrounding Social Care and use the information gained from the listening event once the Green Paper has been produced.
Thank you to all who participated and made the event very enjoyable and informative.
Shirley Stokes
Campaigns Co-ordinator
More information
Quality not Inequality - Age Concern's vision for the future of quality social care
HUNGRY TO BE HEARD 
The purpose of the "Hungry to be Heard" campaign to try to get mealtimes in hospitals improved.
Various complaints have been received from patients and family members highlighting major problems when food was left at the bedside and patients were unable to reach, see or simply were unable to feed themselves. Patients were reliant on someone helping them to eat or they simply went without food altogether which in turn leads to malnutrition.
Age Concern Leicester Shire & Rutland has been working with the NHS and to date some major changes have taken place on the wards. The campaign will continue to ensure the issue remains on the agenda.
POST OFFICE CLOSURES
Following the Post Office's announcement that 25 Post Offices were due for closure across the Leicestershire and Rutland area, Age Concern has been keeping a watchful eye on the situation. Letters were sent to the Consultative Team prior to any final decisions being made on the closures. Age Concern highlighted the importance of post offices within communities and emphasised the difficulties older people will face if their local branch was closed.
Unfortunately, only one Post Office has been saved and the closures are due to go ahead in the not too distant future. Age Concern Leicester Shire & Rutland will be keeping a watchful eye on the situation once some of the promised outreach services are put into place.
On the 19th March 2008 MP's will be debating the issue and some MPs will be urging the government to suspend all closures.
FEET FOR PURPOSE 
Age Concern England launched this campaign following concerns by older people regarding foot care provision. Age Concern's across the country have taken part by highlighting the issue through newspapers and open day events. Here at Age Concern Leicester Shire & Rutland we have been endeavouring to ascertain what NHS Podiatry services are available to people in the Leicestershire and Rutland area and to date the services seem to vary from area to area. In some parts of the county there are waiting lists due to the lack of podiatrists. Home visits are very difficult to arrange.
We have sent a letter to the Primary Care Trust outlining our concerns about the poor service and we now await a reply. Many elderly people are losing their mobility and are becoming housebound due to the lack of foot care and, therefore, this campaign will continue with the hope that extra funding will be found by the NHS to improve this crucial area of healthcare.
More information
PERSONAL EXPENSES
The Personal Expenses campaign highlights the amount of money elderly people are allowed to have to cover their personal expenses whilst living in a Residential Care Home and being funded by the Local Authority. The amount presently stands at a mere £19.60 per week. This amount is intended to allow people to buy new clothes, books, newspapers, chocolate/sweets, birthday presents, Christmas gifts, hairdresser's costs, hobbies, days out etc. Age Concern would like to see this amount raised to £40 per week and have campaigned vigorously to alert local MPs of the situation.
The campaign also included asking people to fill in specially designed cards and return them to Age Concern England. Over 1,000 cards have been collected and as a result of this campaign the Department of Health has announced that it will hold a 12 week consultation on the level of the Allowance this spring.
More information
Shirley Stokes
Campaigns Co-ordinator