£2.5m benefit uptake success in Newry, Mourne and Down | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

£2.5m benefit uptake success in Newry, Mourne and Down

People in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area are £2,495,305 better off as a result of work by the Department for Communities to help people to claim the social security benefits they are entitled to.

In total, across Northern Ireland, household income of 4810 people increased by £21.3 million – an average £85 per week.

 

 

The £21.3million additional benefits represents the largest ever amount generated in a single year since this work began in 2005.

The findings form part of the 2016/17 report on the Department’s ‘Benefit Uptake Programme’, which aims to reach people in our society who have been missing out on the benefits they were entitled to and should have been receiving.

Speaking to Newry Times, Joan O’Hara, Head of the Department’s ‘Make the Call’ Team explained, “The welfare system exists to support people during uncertain times, however, through our benefit uptake work we know that people don’t always realise what that can mean for their benefit entitlement, and continue to struggle without the support they are entitled to. 

 

 

“Major life changes like taking on caring responsibilities, illness or disability, retirement or bereavement can all mean people may become entitled to a range of different benefits. Through this work we are actively reaching thousands of people each year and every pound generated is improving someone’s life,” he added.

In one case in the local council area, a couple who had their benefits reviewed were found to be entitled to Attendance Allowance, Severe Disability Premium, Carer Premiums, and increased State Pension credit. They are now £357 better off each week.

The Department provides a dedicated telephone line providing free and confidential advice about benefits and other Government supports such as the Blue Badge scheme and help with dental treatment and eye tests.

 

 

The service is promoted through mailings, advertising, information events, and working in partnership with a range of statutory and voluntary and community sector partners. 

In addition, Community Outreach workers are located across Northern Ireland to provide face to face advice and assistance to vulnerable customers through home visits.

More advice on checking all your potential entitlements is available by ringing the ‘Make the Call’ Advice Line number on 0800 232 1271, or online at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/makethecall

 

 

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Posted by on Feb 7 2018. 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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