Uptake of Benefits by Pensioners
The Northern Ireland Audit Office today issued a report to the Assembly on the Uptake of Benefits by Pensioners.
The report found that around one in five pensioners in Northern Ireland live in poverty and many do not claim all the benefits to which they are entitled. There are many different reasons for this which include the complexity of the benefits system and benefit application forms and existing perceptions about non-eligibility for benefits.
As part of the research for this report the Northern Ireland Audit Office sought the views of the independent advisory service including Citizens Advice. We were able to detail the successes of our Benefit Uptake Programme which helped vulnerable people, including many older people, to identify and claim £6.1 million in benefits which will eventually amount to £38.8 million over the average length of claims.
Citizens Advice has been contracted by the Social Security Agency to increase the take-up of social security benefits for vulnerable people in Northern Ireland. Those who benefited from the project were on average better off by £55 per week with average arrears of benefit of £535.
Case studies from the CAB Benefit Uptake Programme highlight the very real benefits experienced by clients as a result of this benefit uptake work. Citizens Advice is pleased to be working in partnership with the SSA on this worthwhile project which is helping to lift many vulnerable people including older people out of poverty.
Case Studies
Clients of Ballymena CAB are both in receipt of state retirement pensions only, own their own home, have no outstanding mortgage and pay full rates. The couple both suffer from chronic health problems. As a result of the Benefit Uptake Programme the CAB adviser carried out a full benefit check and identified entitlements to Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit. This has also resulted in entitlements to disability and carer additions on their Pension Credit. Their weekly income has now increased by £213 per week.
A client of Fermanagh CAB is an 84 year old widowed lady living on her own receiving a state retirement and small superannuation pension. She did not think she was entitled to any additional benefits due to her superannuation pension and was suffering from very severe depression as well as multiple physical health problems. Fermanagh CAB carried out a home visit and following a benefit entitlement check assisted the client with the completion of Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit application forms. The client was awarded the high rate of Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit. This increased her income by £144.65 per week or £7,521.80 per annum. The client was also helped to apply for a rates rebate.
An 81 year old client of Newry CAB lives alone in her own home. She has an occupational pension which brings her just over the limit for claiming Pension Credit and she has always believed that because of her occupational pension she was not entitled to any means tested benefits. She suffers from Arthritis and a lung condition. Following a benefit entitlement check by Newry CAB an entitlement to Attendance Allowance was identified and the client was assisted with the claim forms. The client was awarded Attendance Allowance and subsequently an additional amount on her Pension Credit entitlement giving her full help towards her rates. The client is better off by £84.80 per week plus her rates and passport benefits.