The figures appear in the annual statistical report “Income Related Benefit – Estimates of Take-up in Northern Ireland 2004/2006."
The Minister said: “This report provides further evidence of increasing levels of benefit uptake and demonstrates that initiatives being taken forward by the Social Security Agency are having a positive impact.
“The overall take-up of Income Support and Housing Benefit remains high with Pension Credit improving since last year’s report. In particular, considerable success has been achieved in increasing the level of uptake of the guaranteed element of Pension Credit which has improved in the last year from 78% to 93%. This accounts for the majority of £252million that has been paid to older people and is a key element in tackling pensioner poverty.”
Benefit uptake is a key priority for the Social Security Agency which has undertaken a number of initiatives since 2005 to encourage benefit uptake.
Campaigns to promote Pension Credit, including advertising and special support to help people claim, have been very successful. Over 113,000 older people currently benefit from Pension Credit, which was introduced in October 2003.
The Minister said: “In May of this year I launched the Agency’s 2007/2008 Benefit Uptake Programme which builds on the success of those undertaken in 2005 and 2006. These resulted in an additional £7million of benefit being paid to those who need it most.
“The report published today will inform future benefit uptake approaches. We are heading in the right direction but I realise we can do more and I am determined to ensure that there are no barriers to stop people from getting the support they deserve and are entitled to.”
Notes to Editors:
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