Thousands of pounds of benefits unclaimed, says maritime charity
The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society is concerned that many retired seafarers are failing to claim the statutory benefits to which they are entitled through lack of information and awareness.
The charity, which helped seafarers in need claim over £45,000 in statutory benefits last year, says a significant number of retired mariners and their dependants are missing out on vital support by not claiming the financial help they are eligible for. This is the tip of an iceberg.
Between 2010 and 2011 the charity made regular and one-off grants in 2,644 cases amounting to over £1.5 million and helped at least 24 applicants to claim statutory benefits to which they were entitled but unaware of.
Commodore Malcolm Williams, Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, is of the opinion that many retired seafarers are either unaware that they are entitled to certain benefits or do not know how to go about claiming them.
“Seafarers often retire on very meagre incomes so being able to access benefits can make a huge difference to their quality of life. The fact that so many former mariners are not claiming the support they are entitled to is a big worry, especially in the current economic climate where energy and food bills are rising and they may be suffering unnecessarily,” said Commodore Williams.
“The main benefit that is not being claimed is Pension Credit. The government says that a single person in retirement requires a minimum income of £137.35 per week (£209.70 for a couple) yet the state pension, which is the only source of income for many of our beneficiaries, is £102.15 so they are losing out on an extra £35.00 per week – 25% of what they are entitles to.”
According to Age UK about four million older people are entitled to Pension Credit, yet about one in three of those eligible are not claiming it.
As well as providing grants, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society also supplies household items such as washing machines or disabled adaptations in times of need. The Society handled 729 new applications for assistance last year suggesting help for this vulnerable community is still very much in demand.
For more information about the work of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, call: 01243 789329 or visit: www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk
Published: 17/01/2012
