Where has all the money gone?

That was the question asked by Age Concern recently when it reported that an estimated 2.2 million pensioners had not claimed council tax benefits. Elsewhere, 1.7 million were not claiming Pension Credit, and 310,000 were not receiving Housing Benefit. Total all this up and it amounts to some £2,000 a year per household in unclaimed benefits.

There may be a stigma attached to claiming benefits, but £2,000 is a lot of money – especially for pensioners who may be funding care, may still have a mortgage to pay, or may be caring for somebody else.

But, above all, can government do more?

In a sophisticated modern state like Britain, it’s disquieting to think there’s not a central database that contains all this information. Government is eager to catch tax dodgers, but seldom eager to pay out when it should.

Moves are being made in the right direction with the initiative on self directed support, a buzzword that means people will be given the freedom to choose their own kind of care out their own personal budget, supplied by the local authorities. This will also give people the right to question the benefits system – and hopefully encourage them to take the benefits that are on offer.

Nevertheless, self directed support will take years to roll out across the country and each local authority will have its own idiosyncrasies regarding services. It’s certainly not a quick-fix panacea and, meanwhile, older people will continue to lose out on essential benefits.

So what’s the answer?

If you can, go to your local social services, speak to your social worker and demand to know what benefits you are eligible for. This really is essential; it could be the difference between a cosy, heated home or days spent under covers in the bedroom during the latest cold snap.