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National Older People's Missing Millions
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by liamssoft | September 4, 2007 at 01:34 am
339 views | 5 Recommendations | 2 comments
The British benefit system is designed to be user-unfriendly, designed around agencies needs rather than people in need.
But this month for the first time in history, during National Older People's Listening Month, Leicestershire County Council are offering free guidance and advice on claiming benefits.
Experts will be on hand throughout September to help older people ensure they aren't missing out on a share of £4billion of unclaimed benefits.Officers will be at various events which are taking place across Leicestershire during national Older People's Listening Month to offer guidance and advice.
People can speak to advisors and there is no need to book and no forms to fill in - arrangements can also be made to see people at home.
Recent sessions have resulted in 23 Melton residents receiving an extra £40,000 in benefits.
It has been estimated that a colossal £4billion go unclaimed each year with pensioners in Leicestershire missing out on £62million.
Details of the sessions are below:
- Thursday, 6th September - Charnwood Live it Up Day, Loughborough Town Hall, 10am - 4pm
- Wednesday, 12th September - Hinckley Health Centre, 9.30am - 2pm
- Thursday, 20th September - Celebrating Later Life, Methodist Church Hall, Market Harborough, 9am - 5pm
- Monday, 24th September - Drop in session, Britannia Shopping Centre, Hinckley, 9.30am - 1pm
- Tuesday, 25th September - Melton Mowbray Town Centre Market, 10am - 4pm
- Wednesday, 26th September - Young at Heart Day, Parklands Leisure Centre, Oadby, 9.30am - 4.30pm
David Sprason, the County Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Leicestershire County Council Social Care realises that if older people receive their proper entitlements, they will generally be happier, healthier and able to remain independent longer. That is why the County Council and other major agencies who work with older people in Leicestershire are joining together on a combined project to ensure that older people are receiving their full entitlement.”
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)
at 03:50 on September 4th, 2007
liamssoft, I am struggling with incomprehensible forms and invoices at 55 years of age. How on earth are older people 65+ going to manage. Who are these crazy people designing these forms for us. Yes, we have problems like this in NZ too. But here you have to find your own way or miss out - no one helping here. This is an important story and we must all rebel against idiotic time and money wasting forms. Good stuff.
at 04:40 on September 4th, 2007
Many thanks Tom van B Government forms are complicated, help is needed and not all areas in the UK offer the 5* good service that Leicestershire County Council offer.