It used to take days to process pension claims. Forms had to posted out and returned. Now it can be done over the phone in a matter of minutes.
Making the announcement at the Pension Centre, Belfast, where the Minister also revealed that the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) would be working in partnership with the Social Security Agency (SSA) to increase the uptake of benefits, Margaret Ritchie said: “This is great news for thousands of pensioners in Northern Ireland. This investment in new technology will make the application process quicker and more automatic, making a difference to those on the lowest incomes. Older people will be able to access Pension Services from the comfort of their home and this new process will make it easier for older people to claim the support that is rightfully theirs.”
Older people in Northern Ireland will now find it easier to claim their State Retirement Pension and State Pension Credit with the introduction of signature-less claims. A new system has been developed by the Social Security Agency resulting in 70% of State Retirement Pension claims being completed,where no additional evidence is required, during one telephone call.
The system will promote a more joined-up service for customers who claim both State Retirement Pension and State Pension Credit. Approximately 95% of State Retirement Pension customers and 70% of State Pension Credit customers make their initial claim via the telephone. These changes improve the service the Social Security Agency offers to customers and will go a long way to ensure older people receive the full range of benefits to which they are entitled.
During her visit to the Pension Centre Minister Ritchie also announced that Citizens Advice would be working in partnership with the Social Security Agency to increase the uptake of Social Security benefits. This is the fourth year the Agency has delivered a Benefit Uptake Programme with external advice organisations. 25,000 people will be offered a full benefit assessment to identify any benefits to which they may be eligible.
The Programme will focus on older people, those with a disability and families with children.
Commenting on the successful tender, Citizens Advice, Minister Ritchie said: “There are various reasons why people do not claim the support they are entitled to and I am delighted that Citizens Advice will be working with my Department to ensure people are receiving their full entitlement. The Benefit Uptake Programme and the new simpler claim process for State Retirement Pension and State Pension Credit will make it easier for customers to claim their rightful support. I would encourage anyone who receives an invitation for a benefit assessment from the Agency to take this opportunity to see if they could be getting more money.”
John Devine, Chair of Citizens Advice trustee Board said: “Citizens Advice welcomes the opportunity to work in partnership with the Social Security Agency on a programme targeted specifically at the more vulnerable groups in our society. We view this initiative by the SSA as an imaginative and intelligent use of its client data to address the needs of vulnerable groups, particularly given the current economic climate and to deliver it through CAB.”
Notes to Editors:
- The Social Security Agency has a programme of benefit uptake activities, delivered both internally and externally.
- The campaign continues the Social Security Agency’s focus on increasing the take up of benefits.
- The investment in the Pension Centres in Belfast and Londonderry is part of a wider programme of modernisation of public services which will be rolled out over the next 18 months and is designed to improve accessibility and create a more responsive service to meet the changing needs of customers.
- This is the fourth year the Agency has delivered a Benefit Uptake Programme with external advice organisations. 25,000 people will be offered a full benefit assessment to identify any benefits which they may be eligible.
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