23 November 2006
HANSON HIGHLIGHTS BENEFIT UPTAKE GAINS
Statistics published today show that more people in Northern Ireland are now receiving the benefits to which they are entitled.
Social Development Minister David Hanson MP has welcomed the trend revealed in the second annual statistical report 'Income Related Benefits - Estimates of Take-up in Northern Ireland 2003/05. The Minister said: "This report is encouraging and suggests that the efforts of the Social Security Agency to help people claim the benefits due to them are having a significant effect.
"The overall take-up of Income Support, Jobseekers' Allowance and Pension Credit has improved since last year's report. Pension Credit, in particular, now has one of highest take-up rates for the guarantee element of this benefit. This means that more money is getting to the less well off members of the community.
"However, there is still more that can be done. Large amounts of benefit that could be claimed remain unclaimed. We need to continue efforts to ensure that all claimants get the amount they qualify for."
The Social Security Agency gives top priority to ensuring that people get their benefits and has introduced several initiatives to encourage take-up.
For example, campaigns to promote Pension Credit including advertising and special support to help people claim have been very successful. Pensions Credit, introduced in October 2003, now goes to 112,518 beneficiaries across Northern Ireland.
The Agency has also run exercises over the last two years to improve the take-up of Housing Benefit. During these, 24,576 people including pensioners, carers and those with a disability benefited from a comprehensive benefit assessment.
Access to both benefits and job opportunities is made easier in the new Jobs and Benefits Offices being introduced throughout the Province by the Social Security Agency and the Department for Employment and Learning. These aim to deliver the Government's Welfare to Work policy by providing a joined-up benefit and job brokering service for job seekers.
The Minister said: "We are determined to ensure that there are no barriers stopping people from getting the support they deserve. This statistical report will help us to focus on where the problems are. The report suggests that we are heading in the right direction but there is no room for complacency."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
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