A RULE stopping pensioners from receiving benefits cash when they travel abroad must be scrapped, says Age Concern Swindon.

The rule stops Pension Credit, a top-up benefit for pensioners on low incomes, after four weeks overseas.

The charity says this causes hardship for many older people who have to re-apply when they return.

Some face problems paying household expenses and bills while they wait for their benefits to be re-instated.

The rule particularly affects increasing numbers of pensioners who visit family living abroad.

Many older people, whose relatives live in places such as Canada, India, Australia and the Caribbean, cannot afford to travel frequently so visit for four weeks or more to make the trip worthwhile.

The rule also affects those who need to stay in foreign countries either for medical treatment or for faith reasons.

Age Concern is calling on the Government to extend the rule to a minimum of 13 weeks, which would bring it in line with other benefits, such as Housing Benefit.

Jo Osorio, the director of Age Concern Swindon, said: "The Government must review this rule as it causes hardship to many of the poorest older people."