If it’s Yours, Claim it! Older People Encouraged to Take up Benefits

If it’s Yours, Claim it! Older People Encouraged to Take up Benefits

02/06/2014
Reading Borough Council Press Release
READING'S over 60’s and their carers are being urged to check whether they can claim Council Tax Support, Pension Credit or Attendance Allowance.
Based on national rates of under-claiming, there may be up to 6,500 older people in Reading not claiming Pension Credit or Council Tax Support. If you are over 60, or care for someone who is, you may be missing out on money that you are entitled to.
Councillor Jo Lovelock, Leader of Reading Borough Council said:

“Reading is seen as a prosperous place that has weathered the recession, but we need to focus on those who are not prospering.
“At our ‘Tackling Poverty’ conference last year we pledged to organise a proactive and effective benefits take up campaign, particularly targeting older people who at the moment are missing out.
“Increased benefit take-up helps to reduce inequality, improve the local economy and eases the pressure on services dealing with long term poverty.
“By encouraging older people in particular to take up their benefits, we can help some of the most vulnerable members of the community.”
Reading Borough Council will be running a series of free advice sessions:
• Age UK Reading Pop-in, Civic Centre, 26th June, 9.30-11.30, advice session, 11.30-12.30 (drop in only)
• Older Peoples Working Group Meeting, Civic Centre, 4th July, 2-4pm, advice session at 1-2pm (drop in only)
• New Directions, Archway Road, Caversham – 1st July, 10am-1pm (appointments only)
• Caversham Library, Church Street, Caversham – 10th July and 17th July, 10am – 1pm
• Amersham Road Community Centre, Caversham – 25th July, 10.30am – 1.30pm
There will be help and support on how to claim Council Tax Support Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance at the advice sessions. The campaign will be assessed with the view to extending its reach at a later date.
To find out if you are eligible for Council Tax Support, or to complete a claim, visit the online benefit calculator at becs.reading.gov.uk or phone 0118 937 3737.
To claim or find out more about Pension Credit, visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit or call 0800 99 1234
To claim or find out more about Attendance Allowance, visit www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance or call 0345 605 6055.

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ENDS

Notes for Editors:
PHOTOCALL: You are invited to send a photographer to the launch of the older people’s benefits take-up campaign outside the Civic Centre on Thursday 5th June at 12.00pm.
Reading Borough Council Press Releases can be found online at http://www.reading.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/