Who wants more money?

That is the urgent message to pensioners from Age Concern Swindon.

More people than ever before are entitled to Government handouts, but many are either too proud to ask for it, or are not aware they are entitled to it.

This week the charity, which has an office in Milton Road, near the Health Hydro, is taking part in a national campaign called Your Rights aimed at encouraging pensioners to take what is theirs.

Jo Osorio, director of Age Concern Swindon, described the current take-up rate of benefits as "deeply disturbing" and believes the message needs slamming home.

Now he is urging all pensioners and their families to dig out the paperwork and re-examine their finances.

"At a time when many Swindon pensioners are struggling to pay increasing bills, it is worrying to see so many not claiming their benefits," said Mr Osorio.

"Council tax benefit and pension credit are just two of the many benefits available to older people to help increase income and save on bills but they can only make a difference if people claim them."

Today and again on Wednesday, the charity, along with representatives from the Pension Service and Liberata the company that administers housing and council tax on behalf of Swindon Council will be handing out leaflets from an information stall in the Brunel Centre.

Nationally, £770 million in council tax benefit is waiting to be claimed by pensioners.

And it's estimated several hundred of them live in Swindon. Each could be missing out on £425 a year.

In October, the Government introduced the means-tested pension credit to help top-up incomes, but many are still in the dark as to what they can actually claim.

Valerie Newells, the charity's welfare benefits service manager, said: "Pensioners find the forms extremely confusing and struggle to complete them on their own.

"They tend to get advice from their friends and it's not always right.

"We would advise that they come to us and we will take them through the whole process free of charge.

"Often people do not realise that pension credit is a passport to other benefits including health. For example, people may be able to claim free dental treatment and glasses."

And with a rise in benefits announced earlier this month following the Budget, now is as good a time as any to see what is up for grabs, says Valerie.

"In some cases, we have almost doubled weekly incomes just by encouraging them to fill in a couple of forms," she said.

"A few extra pounds a week can go a long way to increasing the quality of life for a pensioner. It may mean the difference between eating poorly and eating a balanced diet and even staying warm in the winter."

One of the key changes in last year's shake-up was the scrapping of the age limit for carers' allowance.

Previously, carers aged over 65 could not qualify.

Retired health worker Gillian Williams, 65, of Park North, said she would be stuck without her extra £25.55 a week.

Mrs Williams, who looks after her daughter Julie Martin, 43, said: "Some of us older ones don't like asking for handouts from the Government even though we have put money into the system for years. Sometimes they would rather go without.

"But I feel that we are entitled to it.

"People need to come to places like this where staff will help them. I hate form filling and it's so complicated these days.

"Young people seem to know more about it."

Norman Howell, 69, of Penhill, used to struggle to get by with wife Irene, 66, who has severe arthritis.

Until recently, the couple lived off their weekly pensions, which amount to a total of £180.90.

Now, with pension credit, disability living allowance and carers' allowance that figure has rocketed to £278.05 up nearly £100.

Delighted, Mr Howell, a former factory worker, said: "Even though the new system has been around for a while now we didn't know what we were entitled to until last week when we saw an advert on the TV.

"We visited both the council and Age Concern and they went through it all with us. They were very helpful."

His wife said: "It'll definitely make a difference and we will be able to buy a few extra groceries each week."

Kevin Shoesmith