Ritchie encourages older people to check their entitlement

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie MLA, today on Older People’s Day, encouraged older people across Northern Ireland to check they are not missing out on social security benefits.

Research has shown that without social security benefits, 71% of older people in Northern Ireland would be living in poverty. When social security payments are taken into account this reduces to 21%.

Invitations for a benefit check will be issued during the Autumn to people who might be missing out.

Margaret Ritchie said: "Society enables more people to live longer. Older people have a lot to contribute to society as many work longer, volunteer after retirement or have caring responsibilities within their wider family circles. Whilst independence is important, I am committed to ensuring that older people have easy access to the support they need to enable them to live life to the full and make a meaningful contribution to society in their own individual way. Financial support will allow people to do this and this is why older people in Northern Ireland should make sure they are getting all they are entitled to."

Working through Citizens Advice, the Social Security Agency is offering people free and confidential advice on all entitlements, as well as information on other issues they may need assistance with. In 2008/09 the Social Security Agency paid on average an extra £50 per week to people who were awarded benefit after taking up the invitation.

The Minister added: “Too many people are missing out on social security benefits that they are rightfully entitled to. I want to make sure people get all the help and support they need to claim these benefits.”

Citizen's Advice Projects Manager, Barry McVeigh said: "Some people assume they are not entitled because they have savings or own their home but this is not always the case. There are also those who have been refused benefit in the past, who may now qualify through changes in circumstances or benefit entitlement rules. The extra money can make a huge difference to people’s lives in these difficult economic times."

Anyone who receives an invitation is encouraged to contact the Citizen's Advice Bureau on the dedicated help line. If you have not received an invitation and would like a benefit entitlement check, please contact your local Citizen's Advice Bureau.

Notes to editors:

1. Research quoted is taken from the Households Below Average Income 2006/07.

2. Benefit Uptake has been a priority for the Social Security Agency since 2005. Over £27million in additional annual benefit has been paid to Social Security Agency customers. The potential impact on the local economy in the current climate should not be understated.

3. Case Study - A woman aged 75 and her husband had savings of just over £16,000. Both had been receiving State Retirement Pension but not Pension Credit. The husband had been receiving the higher rate mobility and care components of Disability Living Allowance. His wife was assisted with an Attendance Allowance claim and was awarded the highest rate. They were also assisted with a claim to Pension Credit and were awarded £118.35 per week increasing their annual income of £9,638. They were also offered help with Rate Rebate claims.

4. More advice and information on benefit entitlement is available on www.nidirect.gov.uk and from staff across the network of Social Security Agency Offices.

5. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9028 9468. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.