24 April 2006
DON'T MISS OUT ON YOUR BENEFITS - HANSON
Thousands of vulnerable people are to be contacted to make sure that they are receiving the benefits to which they are entitled.
Commenting today at the launch of the Social Security Agency's Benefit Uptake Programme for 2006-07, Social Development Minister David Hanson MP said:
"Recent research has suggested that large numbers of people, for whatever reason, may be missing out on financial support that they badly need. I have asked the Social Security Agency to step up its benefit uptake initiatives in the coming year, looking particularly at the most vulnerable groups. It is a key priority for me to see that this problem is addressed.
"The programme will involve 35,000 individuals across Northern Ireland including pensioners, carers and those with a disability. Each person contacted will be offered a comprehensive assessment of their benefit entitlement and encouraged to make a claim to the Social Security Agency."
The latest programme announced by the Minister today follows successful pilots delivered by the Social Security Agency last year. In these exercises, a total of 3,750 pensioners were invited to undergo a full benefit assessment. This resulted in a £30 weekly income boost for 10% of those participating. An extra £500k per year is now being paid out to older people across the province. An additional, £400k was paid out in arrears. There are to be another four separate exercises targeting 20,000 people including single female pensioners - the largest group identified through the recently published statistical report 'Income Related benefits - Estimates of Take-Up in Northern Ireland 2002/04'. Additionally, 15,000 new pensioners shall also be contacted to assess their full entitlement.
The Minister continued:
"I would actively encourage all of those approached in this year's programme to seize this opportunity to check out if they are entitled to additional benefits. We are determined to ensure that the right benefit reaches the right people.
"While the programme I launched today concentrates on vulnerable groups of people, I would also encourage anyone else who feels they may be losing out to contact their local Jobs and Benefits or Social Security Office."
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