Age Concern Hampshire Addresses the Issue of Older People Missing Out on Financial Support
Monday 15 September, 2025 – Age Concern Hampshire, a charity founded in 1985, is dedicated to providing support and services to the older community in Hampshire. One of their key services, the Information Service, aims to help older people overcome the challenges of confusing application processes for financial benefits and practical support.
Through their team of dedicated and highly trained volunteers, the Information Service offers personalized support with form-filling for financial entitlements such as Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Pension Credit, and Blue Badges. This assistance is provided either over the phone or in the comfort of a person’s home.
The need for this service is evident in national statistics, which show that many eligible individuals are not claiming the financial support they are entitled to. In 2023, approximately 1.8 million people in Great Britain received Attendance Allowance, but 140,000 eligible individuals did not claim it. Similarly, as of March 2024, 2.93 million people in England were entitled to a Blue Badge without further assessment, but only 2.84 million valid badges were held, indicating a significant number of eligible individuals not applying for this essential support. The Information Service at Age Concern Hampshire aims to bridge this gap by providing guidance and support through the complex application process.
Yvonne Hiscock, Information Services Senior Co-ordinator at Age Concern Hampshire, explains the importance of this service, stating, “Filling in forms can be overwhelming and many older people do not claim what they are entitled to. Our volunteers provide tailored assistance, ensuring individuals receive the guidance most relevant to their needs.”
The Information Service goes beyond form-filling support, also offering assistance and signposting on important topics such as home services, digital inclusion, foot care, and specialist support. As the cost of living continues to rise, this service has become more essential than ever. For older people and their families, it is a lifeline that helps them access benefits and services that improve independence, wellbeing, and quality of life.
To access support from Age Concern Hampshire’s Information Service, individuals can contact them by phone at 01962 868545, email at enquiries@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk, or through their website at https://www.ageconcernhampshire.org.uk/our-services-hampshire/information-service/.
For media enquiries, please contact Sarah Jacobs, Marketing Manager at Age Concern Hampshire, at marketing@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk.
About Age Concern Hampshire:
Age Concern Hampshire is a charity founded in 1985 with a mission to help people ‘Age well and Live well’. They provide a variety of services and support to the older community in Hampshire, including Care & Wellbeing centres, Foot Care clinics, Help at Home, Hospital to Home services, and more. For more information, please visit their website at https://www.ageconcernhampshire.org.uk/.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.