Older people could claim £millions in benefits
Date of Release: Tue 7th November, 2006
A telephone line has been set up as part of a special week-long initiative to help Leicestershire’s older people claim any benefits they may be missing out on.
Last year, over £4 billion in benefits was left unclaimed by older people in the UK. Two million older people are living in poverty, yet many of them could claim financial assistance.
That is why Leicestershire County Council, Charnwood Borough Council and partners are providing a helpline number - 0116 2992233 - for older people to claim the cash they are entitled to.
The County Council, alongside Age Concern Leicestershire & Rutland, District Councils, and the Pension Service will launch the benefits awareness drive on 20th November at 11.00am at Charnwood Borough Council’s, Customer Services Centre, Charnwood Borough Council, Council Offices, Southfields, Loughborough, LE11 2TU.
David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet Lead Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Older people could be suffering unnecessary hardship because they are not coming forward to claim the benefits that are there for them.
“They’ve worked hard and paid their taxes, so they fully deserve to receive this help and support.”
Fiona Barber from Age Concern Leicestershire & Rutland said: “It’s appalling that so many older people are struggling to make ends meet while huge amounts of benefits cash are going unclaimed.
“The claiming process can seem time consuming and complicated but it really doesn’t have to be. The Pension Service and local voluntary organisations such as Age Concern have trained advisors available throughout the year to offer practical assistance to older people across the County.”
Jill Vincent, Cabinet Member for Partnerships and Customer Services, said: “By working together we can hopefully ensure that more older people than ever before know about and claim what they are entitled too. We’re heading for a cold Winter and Christmas is coming so our older people need to know that they aren’t on their own, there is money for them to take advantage of. I’d urge anybody who thinks they maybe entitled to addition benefits to contact us directly.”
Benefits that are available to many senior citizens include:
Attendance Allowance – aimed at people who are physically or mentally ill or disabled and who need help with personal care;
Pension Credit – provides extra cash for people who have modest savings;
Housing Benefit – assistance with housing costs;
Council Tax Benefit – assistance with bills.