Pensioners could have to answer 450 questions to receive benefits (Image: Getty)

       Pensioners could have to answer 450 questions to receive the benefits they are entitled to, according to new research.

       Independent Age warned that many older people are being prevented from receiving financial support due to a system that is “far too complex and difficult to navigate”.

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       The charity’s report found it could take up to four hours with the help of a trained adviser to complete forms to apply for pension credit, attendance allowance, housing benefit and council tax reduction, or longer if a person is not assisted by a professional.

       Chief executive Joanna Elson said: “It is clear that the UK has a social security system that is far too complex and difficult to navigate, and while there are numerous entitlements available, many people in later life are often unable to access potentially life-changing support as a result. Something has to change.

       “There are currently around two million older people living in poverty, and a further one million are precariously on the edge.

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       "The UK Government and local authorities must work together to drive take-up for benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit.

       “There needs to be an entitlement take-up strategy that tears down the barriers that make it so difficult to understand the system, and in some cases, inaccessible for many people in later life.

       “The strategy should include plans to simplify and streamline the application process. People shouldn’t have to spend hours answering hundreds of questions. The DWP should also investigate the feasibility of automating or semi-automating certain entitlements, as this could help get money into the pockets of those who need it.”

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       Susan, 69, said the application process for attendance allowance left her feeling suicidal.

       She said: “Applying for Attendance Allowance was awful. Reducing me to tears and even making me feel suicidal several times. Not only were the questions difficult to understand, but dwelling on all of the things that I am no longer capable of doing sent me into a very dark place.”

       Alan, 80, added: “Applying for help in way of benefits is extremely difficult in the end, one just gives up and continues to struggle.”

       The research found that those with no internet access, with mental or physical health conditions and those with low literacy levels struggled the most, while some OAPs felt a sense of stigma or shame asking for help.

       Kelly Conlan, advice and support manager at Independent Age, said: “Our helpline regularly receives calls from worried older people who know there is financial support out there but are daunted by the challenge of applying because of the sheer scale and complexity of the process.

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       "Older people across the country are sitting in cold homes and only eating one meal a day. It shouldn’t be so difficult to apply for support that could make a huge difference to their quality of life.

       “It is important for older people to know that while the system is complex, there is help available. Our trained advisers run free welfare benefit checks and support people to fill out the application forms. If you are an older person that is worried about your financial situation, please call our free helpline on 0800 319 6789.”

       The latest figures show pension credit take-up is 65%, meaning up to 760,000 low-income households or 970,000 individuals are missing out financial support they are entitled to.

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       The figure stands at 83% for housing benefit with 270,000 older households losing out.

       A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “We have made the process of applying for benefits as accessible as possible such as completing the pension credit claim form online now takes on average just 16 minutes while figures published last week show nearly 120,000 more pensioners are receiving it since July.

       “Our new initiative of joining up state pension and pension credit is supporting more people onto the benefit as soon as they become eligible, and we have written to over 120,000 pensioner households in receipt of housing benefit about pension credit to better join up the offer and further improve uptake.”