Don’t forget to claim your benefits

published 15 August 2008

Almost £5bn of benefits go unclaimed by older people every year so check with Citizens Advice (www.adviceguide.org.uk) or call Age Concern (0800-009966) and make sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to, says Stephen Ellis in The Daily Telegraph. A third of people eligible for pension credits don't claim them that means they are down an average of £1,352 each. Also check what discounts you are entitled to, says Ellis. Everyone over 60 can get free medical prescriptions so, "instead of buying your drugs over the counter, ask your doctor to prescribe them and get them free".

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Ruth Jackson-Kirby is a freelance personal finance journalist with 17 years’ experience, writing about everything from savings accounts and credit cards to pensions, property and pet insurance.

Ruth started her career at MoneyWeek after graduating with an MA from the University of St Andrews, and she continues to contribute regular articles to our personal finance section. After leaving MoneyWeek she went on to become deputy editor of Moneywise before becoming a freelance journalist.

Ruth writes regularly for national publications including The Sunday Times, The Times, The Mail on Sunday and Good Housekeeping, among many other titles both online and offline.