Dumfries and Galloway Council is committed to helping our older residents to access and claim the financial assistance they are entitled to.
The Council’s inhouse Benefit Maximisation team take referrals from the public as well as pro-actively identify residents who could potentially be entitled to benefits such as Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance and all other DWP and Scottish Benefits Agency benefits. In 2020/21 the team handled 1,556 referrals from older people and successfully assisted them to claim additional benefits to the value of £4.26 million.
These additional benefits include: –
· £1.95 million in Attendance Allowance for 558 customers
· £872K in Pension Credit for 254 customers
· £149K in Council Tax Reductions and Disregards for 148 customers
This is an average annual increase in income for the 1556 of £2,700 per annum. The team not only assist people to claim additional benefits but also ensure all Council Tax reductions and disregards are claimed and any other local complimentary services. The team will signpost customers to other services that may also be of assistance.
Older Peoples Champion, Councillor Andy Ferguson commented:
“The work our Benefit Maximisation team carry out to help residents of all ages is absolutely fantastic. As Older Peoples Champion, I obviously have a vested interest in the assistance that our elderly residents of the region are receiving. The numbers shown above are a real demonstration of the help out there that is readily available.”
There’s lots of information on how the Council can help at www.dumgal.gov.uk
