Benefit Entitlement - Should you be getting more?
Feature submitted by Dempsey - DSD Information Office
It has come a long way from standing in cow sheds handing out leaflets to a more sophisticated use of resources now readily available to the Benefit Entitlement Unit.
Benefit entitlement to me means, ‘What I should be getting’ and Benefit Entitlement Unit are doing exactly that through their Programme making sure that people receive the right money. Money they are entitled to by right and not a penny less.
Social Security Offices are working to capacity servicing the needs of its current customers around the country. The Public Accounts Committee who keep a watchful eye on what and how civil servants do things, made comments several years ago about how the Social Security Agency wasn’t doing enough to combat poverty. No strategy was in place to encourage the uptake of benefits. The comment hasn’t fallen on deaf ears.
Over the years, how benefit uptake has been tackled has changed dramatically. Initially the responsibility was left to the Communications team to develop a strategy to encourage uptake, but that was less scientific and more ‘in your face’. Another team continued with a different approach, direct mailing and telephone calls. This worked well. Since outside bodies such as Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux has added value to the Programme and developed the strategy with the newly named Benefit Entitlement Unit.
MInister for the Department for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA said,
" I want to make sure that people receive all the benefits to which they are properly entitled. A number of programmes have been run in recent years by the Social Security Agency through its Benefit Entitlement Unit. I am pleased that this work is producing some good results with a much higher level of benefit uptake in the target groups. There have been several success stories and I have no doubt that there will be more in the future. I congratulate the staff in the Social Security Agency for handling this work so effectively.
As the Minister said, there have been a few success stories as a result of the work the Agency has been doing to encourage people to claim benefits. Some of these customers were initially reluctant to take part in the Programme. By taking part, they found that the amount of money they were getting each week increased, despite already being on other benefits.
They had been missing out.
Examples of how Benefit Entitlement Unit are helping
Two pensioners over 80, husband and wife, were getting a pension of £172.20 per week. They had savings of just under £22,000. They were given help to apply for Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit. Their weekly income changed to over double the amount. In actual fact they now receive £401.63 every week. And that’s not the end of it. At present they are being helped to claim a rates rebate.
A 74 year old widow had savings of just under £6,000. When she was re-assessed she received an extra £117.35 every week.
The list goes on…….
A couple in their 70’s received an extra £129.77 per week. Pension Credit was backdated for them which gave them arrears of over £6,700. They received a full rate rebate of £350 and qualified for the Warm Homes Scheme grant work which can provide assistance to, among other things, insulate their house which will hopefully save on their heating bills.
Attendance Allowance at a low rate and £120 was all that an 84 year old had to live on. When he took part in the Programme he was better off by £71.69 per week. The Pension Credit he received was backdated and he was given a payment for £3,727. He received a full rebate of £1,000 on his rates and qualified for the Warm Homes Scheme grant work.
So as you can see, the work of the Social Security Agency is showing signs that it is working. The proof is there. But this work will only continue to be successful as people show an interest in claiming the benefits they are entitled to. Maybe you are the pensioner couple who could benefit by over £200 a week, or the single person who might like to get another £70 per week. Or qualify for help to insulate your house.
If someone drops a letter on your mat from the Social Security Agency , take a closer look. It may not be a lottery win, it may not be a fortune but it could still be a lot of money. Through this programme managed by the Benefit Entitlement Unit that person getting extra benefits each week just ‘Could be you.’
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