The hands of an elderly woman
AN OLDER person could have to answer as many as 450 questions when applying for financial support from the government, according to new research published today.
Independent Age looked at the applications for four main entitlements: pension credit, attendance allowance, housing benefit and council tax reduction.
It found the applications to be complex, taking up to four hours to fill out with the help of a trained adviser.
Some of the review’s proposals could make the benefits system less cruel and dehumanising. But its vague plans for services and non-cash support revive the threat that disabled people will lose control over the money we need to survive, writes DYLAN MURPHY
MPs back measure for 66-year-olds but it won't end suffering, groups say
DYLAN MURPHY reports that far from helping people back into work, the sanctions regime is inflicting unnecessary trauma on working-class families