Benefits helpline set up following rule change to savings

Benefits helpline set up following rule change to savings

 
LANCASHIRE County Council's Welfare Rights Service is urging people aged 60-and-over to phone a new helpline to check whether they are entitled to pension credit, council tax benefit and housing benefit following a change in the rule on savings.

Until now, the first £6,000 of savings have been ignored in working out a person's entitlement to these benefits. However, from November 2, the amount which is ignored will go up to £10,000.

To help people check their entitlement to pension credit, council tax benefit and housing benefit, the Welfare Rights Service will be running a helpline from Monday, November 2 to Friday the 6th.

Anyone who is 60 or over who would like a free and confidential benefit check, can ring 0845 053 0013 from Monday, November 2 to the 6th. One of the council's welfare rights officers will call people back to check if they are entitled to pension credit, council tax benefit and housing benefit.

County Councillor Mike Calvert, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for Adult and Community Services said: "In my view, the rule change on the amount of savings people are allowed to have is long overdue.

"I very much hope people will take advantage of this excellent opportunity to check they are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to.

"The new rules will mean that more people aged 60-and-over in Lancashire will be entitled to these benefits. I would therefore encourage anyone who's had an application turned down previously, or anyone who has never claimed before, to phone the Helpline."