Two million Brits missing out on key benefits that they’re due because they’re not online to apply for them
A charity has warned that some benefits can only be accessed online - shutting out anyone who doesn't use the web
MILLIONS of Brits could be missing out on key benefits because they can only claim them on the internet, a charity has warned.
An estimated two fifths of local councils tell residents they can only get Housing Benefit or a council tax discount if they go online.
But nearly 5million people - mostly older Brits - have no access to the web, so could be missing out on cash they're owed.
Age UK has called for councils to allow all residents to use offline methods so that pensioners aren't driven into poverty by being denied benefits.
The charity surveyed 100 councils around the country to find out their policies on claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction - which can be worth thousands of pounds.
They found that 40 per cent of them required claimants to fill in a form online, or to print off the form from the council website.
Most of those said they could offer some help to residents who don't use the internet.
But in many cases, that would require elderly people to travel to a council office to use a computer without getting one-on-one help.
And one in seven councils didn't give any help at all to claimants struggling to navigate the system.
Age UK said: "Many older people are reluctant to claim the financial support which they are due and any pressure to claim online is likely to be an additional barrier."
Of the 4.8million Brits who've never used the internet, more than half are aged 75 or older.
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The findings suggest that in total around 2million people could have serious difficultires claiming the two council-run benefits.
Age UK boss Caroline Abrahams said: “It is totally unacceptable that millions of older people who are not online are effectively being screened out of accessing benefits to which they are legally entitled, and often badly need, because they cannot use the online application methods that are increasingly the default.
“Age UK is fully aware of the intense financial pressures on councils, but this can be no excuse for working in ways that risk depriving older people of their due."
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