‘Welfare reform may affect benefits for older people’ – Clarke | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

‘Welfare reform may affect benefits for older people’ – Clarke

Alliance Newcastle Councillor Patrick Clarke is urging older people to ensure that they claim their rightful benefits before major changes take place to the benefits system as a result of the Welfare Reform Bill in Northern Ireland.

Speaking to Newry Times, Clarke said one of his concerns is that the main impact of the Bill on older people will be that both members of a couple must be over pension age to be eligible for Pension Credit.

“If one person is under Pension Credit age, the couple will have to claim the new Universal Credit which will be introduced on 1 October 2013. Any couples currently receiving Pension Credit will continue to do so.”

Clarke continued, “Presently there is no limit to the amount of savings someone can have in order to receive Pension Credit. However, there are proposed plans to introduce a savings limit although the amount is yet to be confirmed. I would urge people to apply for Pension Credit before these changes take place.”

“Another confirmed change for anyone receiving help with their rent is that housing benefit will be replaced by a new housing credit. There are also confirmed changes to the Social Fund. There are no planned changes for anyone aged over 65 in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance.”

He added, “If anyone is concerned about these changes and how they may effect them or someone needs more information about a type of benefit and how to claim, they should contact their local Citizens Advice Bureau or the Age NI Advice Service on freephone 0808 808 7575.”

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=21858

Posted by on Aug 28 2012. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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