A CONCERTED campaign encouraging older people in West Devon to claim their rightful benefits has generated around £140,000 extra a year for more than 60 people in the borough. West Devon Borough Council, working with Devon County Council?s highly successful CAREdirect, sent out letters to around 2,000 homes three months ago to encourage older residents to take up the welfare benefits that they are entitled to. The residents were invited to telephone CAREdirect for a free ?benefits health check?, to determine any entitlements. The campaign prompted more than 100 calls and early indications are that 64 of the callers are entitled to extra benefits totalling around £140,000 a year between them. CAREdirect is a multi agency information and advice service for older people and their carers, hosted by the County Council. Help and advice about financial benefits for older people is an important part of the service, and in the three years since CAREdirect was established, they have helped thousands of people claim over £7 million in financial benefits. CAREdirect estimate that there is £52 million of unclaimed benefit for older people in Devon. West Devon Borough Council?s Chief Executive David Incoll said: ?Everyone will welcome this initiative and its impressive outcome. Increased take-up by older people helps to improve the quality and comfort of life particularly at a time when their heating, lighting and other costs are increasing.? Mr Incoll is also chairman of the Devon Strategic Partnership?s Access to Benefits Implementation Group, which brings together local and central government, the voluntary and private sectors to tackle issues around unclaimed benefits. He added: ?We are involved in ground-breaking welfare rights partnership work which is delivering real benefits to many of our elderly and as a consequence to local communities and their facilities. ?Research shows that 80% of benefits money is spent within a four mile radius of where people live. Even if people are reluctant to claim for themselves they should think about the help they can give to the economy of their local community by doing so.? Paul Searle, CAREdirect Project Leader, said those people who appear to be entitled to additional benefits are now receiving appropriate help, with advice on completing forms and, where needed, home visits from trained volunteers. He said: ?What is happening in West Devon is not unusual. Thousands of people are not claiming benefits that are rightfully due to them. ?We estimate there is £52 million of unclaimed benefit for older people in Devon. This money could ease many people?s financial pressures by helping them pay their council tax or housing costs, by giving them extra income through pension credit, or getting them help to pay for personal care.? For further information contact 0800 444 000.
