Older people in Burnley thousands of pounds better off after benefits campaign

The campaign was organised by Lancashire County Council's Welfare Rights Service in partnership with Burnley Borough Council.

It ran from December 2017 to August 2018.

Burnley Borough Council contacted over 75s in their area who were receiving either housing benefit or council tax support.

A letter was sent out by the borough council to invite them to have a benefit check completed by Lancashire County Council's Welfare Rights Service, and 67 requests were received.

This has meant an annual cash gain for claimants of £233,856.48.

County Coun. Shaun Turner, Lancashire County Council's Cabinet member for health and well-being, said: "This is great news for some of our older and vulnerable residents in Burnley, who have had a welcome boost to their incomes. The people that we have been able to help so far are better off by an average of £99 each week.

"Staff told me of one household they dealt where the residents weren't claiming the benefits they were entitled to, and who were just trying to manage on their basic pensions. We actually got them an extra £243.20 per week in benefits, which will clearly make a big difference to them.

"As well as the hardworking staff of our Welfare Rights Service, I'd also like to thank staff at Burnley Borough Council, for their help in making this campaign such a success.

"The Welfare Rights Service has been running various benefit take-up campaigns very successfully for many years now. I would urge pensioners to get in touch and ask for a free and confidential benefits check.

"As we have seen with this campaign and with others, the extra money really could make all the difference."

Coun. Cosima Towneley, Burnley Borough Council's cabinet member with portfolio for older people, said: “It is important that all people claim the benefits they are entitled to and this was a very good campaign. I am glad that we were able to be part of it and that so many people have benefited from this good work.

“I would urge pensioners to get in contact with the Welfare Rights Service and have their free confidential benefits check as they could be a lot better off.”

Anyone who would like a free and confidential benefit check can call the Welfare Rights Service on 0300 123 6739 or email [email protected]

More information is available at www.lancashire.gov.uk/benefits-and-grants