SSA Benefit Uptake
In partnership with the Department for Social Development, Advice NI continued to engage in Benefit Uptake Direct Targeting exercises. This year’s uptake programme involved the Social Development Minister writing to 25,000 older people, encouraging them to take part in a full, confidential benefits check which was carried out by the Advice NI Benefit Uptake team. A full benefit entitlement check which included social security benefits, rates, Blue Badge Scheme and Warm Homes information was conducted for every client. Assistance with the application process for all entitlements identified was also provided.
The benefit entitlement check is part of a campaign to improve benefit uptake and has been ongoing since 2005. Results have demonstrated that since the commencement of the Direct Targeting exercise in 2005 until 2012/13 over £41 million had been generated in additional benefits that otherwise would not have been claimed. The figures for 2013/14 are due to be published in November 2014.
Castlereagh Borough Council Independent Advice Service
Advice NI has continued to lead the Castlereagh Independent Advice Service in partnership with Ballynafeigh Community Development Association and East Belfast Mission to deliver independent advice services across Castlereagh, dealing with 6,386 enquiries and generating £853,519 in unclaimed entitlements for service users.
The service provided face to face delivery at outreach venues across Castlereagh including Enler, Braniel, Belvoir, Cregagh, Tullycarnet, Moneyreagh and Carryduff. Appeal tribunal representation services and dedicated money advice services were also provided, along with a dedicated Freephone line, online and email advice facility.
Case Study
Client telephoned the Advice NI Freephone number after receiving a targeted benefit uptake letter and a holistic Benefit Entitlement Check was conducted. The adviser discovered that the client’s husband was getting Attendance Allowance; the client was getting Disability Living Allowance (high rate care) but no State Pension Credit was in payment. As a result of the adviser’s intervention, entitlement to State Pension Credit was secured generating an additional weekly income of £147.65.
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