A charity has helped the elderly claim £1.3 million in pension benefits and credits to help them cope with budget cuts.

Age UK Bradford and District is now urging other pensioners to check they are getting all the cash they are entitled to as it was revealed 31,000 deaths were linked to cold weather last winter.

The number of “excess winter deaths” in England and Wales rose by 29 per cent compared to the previous year, the Office for National Statistics said.

The majority were among pensioners, with over-75s accounting for 25,600 winter-related deaths in 2012/13.

Now Age UK is urging pensioners to contact the charity’s Starting Point advice service to see what help they can get to pay heating bills.

Since the advice service started 15 months ago, Age UK locally has helped pensioners claim £1,304,415 in benefits to which they are entitled. These include pension and savings credit, attendance allowance (now personal independence payments), council tax benefit and housing benefit, severe disability premium and disability allowance.

Keith Nathan, chief executive of Age UK Bradford & District, said: “With the increasing pressures on the most vulnerable people through rising prices, reducing services and cuts in support, this shows that austerity is killing people.

“Decisions made locally since last winter – eg on reducing the right of access to home-care services and others in the pipeline for next year’s budget – will make the situation worse.

“I am now urging people to make sure they are getting all the pension credits and benefits they are due.

“There are still billions which are unclaimed. One of the examples of how we have helped people is the case of Mr Y and his wife.

“Mr Y suffers from Alzheimer’s and his wife is recovering from a major operation for colon cancer. Mr Y’s other key health issues are heart disease, angina and high blood pressure.

“His wife finds it hard to cope some days and by maximising their income it would allow them to buy other services to help improve the quality of their life.

“We assisted them to complete the application form for attendance allowance. This meant Mr Y was awarded the higher rate of attendance allowance. His wife said they can now get out more.

“Mr Y’s mobility is poor, therefore they need a taxi. Neither of them can cope with the garden any more and they have now employed someone to do it for them.”

Contact Starting Point on (01274) 391190.