Partnering for good
Our latest partnership with FareShare Midlands, the region’s largest food redistribution charity, is encouraging older people in the Midlands to check whether they’re getting all the financial support they’re entitled to.
FareShare Midlands distributes surplus food to a number of charities and community organisations with information about our free benefits checks included. This helps us to connect vulnerable older people to money that’s going unclaimed during an increasingly difficult time for many.
FareShare Midlands’ Chief Executive, Simone Connolly, explained the severity of the current cost-of- living crisis:
“People aged 65+ are cutting back on groceries to afford other essentials — with heating a top priority once more. At FareShare Midlands we are seeing the need for vital food supplies grow, with over one third of our Members serving more older people. We hope to aid Independent Age’s mission to help older people who are struggling to get all of the benefits they are entitled to during these challenging times.”
We hope to expand this activity to other geographic areas, so we can offer support and assistance to more older people facing financial hardship.
It’s always worth checking
You or someone you know could be missing out on extra money each week.
There are a number of benefits and entitlements available to help older people, but many are missing out on extra money they could be getting each week. It can be hard to know what financial support is available, or how to apply.
On average, callers to our Helpline who do qualify for any particular benefit are missing out on more than £4,000 a year. That’s the kind of support that can change a person’s life.
We think it’s vital to make older people aware of the financial support they could claim and to connect them to money they’re entitled to. We do this with our free publications, through the support and services our Helpline team provides and, whenever possible, through partnerships with like-minded organisations such as our latest partnership with FareShare Midlands.
Even if someone thinks they’re getting everything they’re entitled to, it’s always worth checking. Use our free benefits calculator. Or, contact our Helpline team on 0800 319 6789 or via our web chat to arrange a free benefits check.
You can also order our free advice guides and factsheets — for yourself or someone you know. They’re full of valuable information and the latest rates for benefits and other entitlements for the 2024/25 financial year. Order them on our website or by calling our Helpline on 0800 319 6789.
