Smyth said she believed many people who really need extra help will not get it.
“We did some research in the Eden area a couple of years ago, and most of the people we spoke to who were entitled to benefits were just not applying for them,” she said.
“It’s just how it is in rural areas, people are too proud, and they don’t want to fill in a bunch of forms.”
She is also concerned about the lack of good broadband in many rural areas.
“A lot of older people might not have the time or the skills to make an online application,” she said.
Smyth thinks many people “in London” design policies which “do not work in rural areas”.
“I’m really worried, it’s lambing time too with all those extra energy costs,” she said.
“It’s a real crisis out there, it’s really, really difficult for people.”
