A service in Northern Ireland has helped residents access over £62 million in extra benefits this year, with pensioners receiving an average of £21 each. The Department for Communities’ ‘Make the Call’ service works with partner groups like the Housing Executive, Housing Rights, Dementia NI, and Carers NI to ensure that people are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons praised the results of the service, highlighting the additional benefit uptake of £21.3 million by pensioners. On average, customers were better off by £99.36 per person per week, an increase from the previous year. The total figure of £62.1 million in additional benefits is a significant increase from the previous year, showing the impact of the service on residents’ financial well-being.
Minister Lyons emphasized the importance of accessing benefits like Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance, which can provide crucial support to older individuals. Since 2005, the service has generated almost £471 million in additional annual benefits for vulnerable people in Northern Ireland. In addition to assisting with benefit claims, the service can also provide support in accessing other resources like blue badges, free bus passes, health cost assistance, home safety checks, and help with reducing energy costs.
If you believe you may be entitled to benefits but are not sure how to access them, you can contact the ‘Make the Call’ service through various channels such as phone, text, website, or email. Minister Lyons encouraged anyone who thinks they may have a benefit entitlement to take advantage of this free and confidential service to ensure that those who need support the most receive it.
The service’s impact goes beyond just financial benefits, as it helps individuals maintain community connections, social independence, and overall well-being. By maximizing the benefits available to residents, the ‘Make the Call’ service plays a crucial role in supporting vulnerable individuals in Northern Ireland.
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