3/6/2009

One in three households in Wales are eligible for benefits but many are unaware they can get help with their bills.

But a drive is on to to ensure that people maximise their incomes by claiming money they are entitled to, because claiming the correct levels of benefit could make the difference between a family keeping their home and being made homeless.

This was the message from Dr Brian Gibbons, Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, when he visited Bridgend County Borough Council to see for himself how the local authority is working to increase the take-up of council tax and housing benefits, and how local residents are benefiting from the scheme.

The Council appointed two benefits officers to encourage people to take up the Council Tax and housing benefits to which they are entitled and to help them complete the application process.

The team has circulated posters and leaflets throughout the area, held specialist take-up surgeries, worked with third sector organisations such as Citizens Advice Bureau and Shelter and visited local communities with their benefits advice bus. Staff also visited the COSI factory in Maesteg to advise staff who were facing redundancy.  

Since April 2008 the amount of benefit awarded has increased dramatically with additional benefit totalling £395,887 awarded to people living in the area.

Last year the Minister announced that an extra £1 million a year was available in each of the next three years to help local authorities increase benefit take-up and widen the focus of campaigns to include families with children as well as pensioners.

Councils across Wales are now involved in a variety of initiatives to increase take-up including advertising campaigns, hiring benefit staff, training local authority workers and using technology to identify potential claimants.

The Minister said: “We recognise that the recession puts extra pressure on families and individuals and we are doing all we can to help people cope. The economic downturn has meant that many more people are now entitled to benefits, but some of them may not be aware of this.

“It is therefore very important that we work together to ensure that people maximise their incomes by claiming the benefits they are entitled to, as claiming the correct levels of benefit could make the difference between a family keeping their home and being made homeless.

“I applaud the way that councils such as Bridgend are working to increase the take up of benefits. In addition to significantly increasing household income and improving the quality of life for individuals, the local economy should benefit as some of the additional income will be spent in local shops and businesses.�