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£14bn benefits unpaid: Get what is due
Thursday, 09 Apr 2009 11:11
As much of £14 billion worth of benefits go unclaimed each year – meaning hundreds of thousands of people are suffering unnecessary financial hardships.
People fail to get what is due to them for a wide number of reasons, from simply being unaware about what is on offer to being put off by the complexity of forms to fill in or concerned about revealing their details to local authorities.
Nor are benefits just for those out of work.
However, getting what you are rightly due could make a massive difference, especially as the UK heads through recession.
But with the complex web of benefits available, it is no surprise people are not getting their dues – especially those claiming benefits for the first time.
There is also the stigma attached to claiming benefits that holds people back from what can be a lifeline.
"Our research shows people are less likely to turn to benefits or a grant than get a loan from friends or the bank," says Jolanta Lasota, chief executive of charity Turn2us , which aims to get people the right benefits for them.
"There is a large lack of awareness of what is available. Some people think benefits are not for them and there are a lot of misconceptions about benefits."
She adds many people are put off by the complexity of claiming.
She highlighted Working Tax Credits as one such benefit that is often missed.
"Even people already on benefits are not aware of rebates or housing benefit available," she says.
"People need a holistic and independent view on what they are entitled to. Life can be hard enough without having to navigate through benefits."
The need for a single stop for all benefits is highlighted by Tim Nichols, spokesperson for the Child Poverty Action Group.
"We would call for more advice," he says.
There are important reasons for claiming, he adds: "There are some benefits that are a gateway to others."
Many people are failing to claim child disability living allowance, "but if they did they would also be able to claim other support on child tax credits," Mr Nichols says.
First stop
If you lose your job, "First off you should go to Job Centre Plus to register straight away," says Ms Lasota.
She adds if people are often cautious about telling speaking to the Job Centre about their finances - local face-to-face help can be useful through charities such as Citizens Advice or through some local authorities.
However, she warned local services can be strained.
Also by delaying claims, there may create problems further down the line.
However, be armed heading to the Job Centre Plus and be prepared to ask lots of questions to ensure you get your entitlement.
Tax credits
Tax credits – for those with children, on low incomes or pensioners – could well boost income.
However, they are often missed.
Help the Aged finds levels of older people not claiming benefits also to be a major problem – with £14 million of benefits a day destined for pensioners not being claimed.
The charity is calling on the government to pay benefits automatically – without those trying to claim having to go through the maze of forms – especially as one in five pensioners live in poverty.
Each year, £1.51 billion in Council Tax Benefit and £770 million in Housing Benefit goes unclaimed. Pensioners also miss £2.81 billion in Pension Credit.
Some 41 per cent of those entitled to pension credits are not getting them, while 45 per cent of pensioners who should receive council tax benefit are missing out.
"The government has most of the information it needs to identify people who are entitled to benefits and arrange automatic payment – what's needed is the political will to make it happen," says Louise Ward-Bergeman, at Help the Aged.
"Difficult economic times mean it is even more important for pensioners to get every penny that is rightfully theirs.
"The government has a moral duty to ensure older people receive their benefits but until automatic payments are introduced, older people also need to take action.
"We would urge all older people to find out if they are entitled to benefits that could help."
Beyond benefits
As well as benefits, there are a large number of charitable grants available to people – which can be hard to find – but can make a massive difference.
Ms Lasota explains advisors at Turn2us often have to look through the strands of someone's life to discover what benefits and grants are available.
"We prefer to call them grants as there is a lot of stigma still attached to turning to charities.
"But there are a lot of grants available all depending on someone's illness, if they are recently out of hospital and need certain equipment, their occupation or that of their partner.
"There can be quite a lot of investigating."
She explains her charity's research found only four per cent of people said they would approach a charity.
"There is a lot of stigma attached. But there are 3,300 charities out there offering grants for equipment for those renovating a home, for furniture if they are a new occupant. Some give a regular gift, some fund holidays for those with disabilities or children with disabilities.
"Grants cover a whole range of different situations."
She adds charities can often provide emergency support and are faster and more responsive than statutory services.
Ms Lasota also outlined a number of people who had recently gained help through Turn2US finding charitable grants.
In one case a former nurse suffering from mental health problems was given funding for a training course so she could retrain.
In a further case a 21-year-old mother of one was living in a car while her five-year-old child stayed with a friend. The local authority deemed she was ineligible for housing as they claimed she had left her previous home voluntarily.
However, a charitable grant allowed her to raise the funds for a housing bond and further support and benefits were found because she was pregnant, Jolanta explains.
"Often a little money upfront – as grants are often not huge - can really help to turn someone around," she says.
"People are also often too scared to ask, and need reassurance."
There are a number of tools online to help you get the benefits you deserve:
The Department for Work and Pensions Benefits Adviser
The Turn2us Benefits Search
The Citizens Advice Benefits Guide
Inland Revenue: Tax Credits: Do I Qualify?
Daniel Barnes
sourced from http://www.myfinances.co.uk/feature1...e-$1286726.htm
Thursday, 09 Apr 2009 11:11
As much of £14 billion worth of benefits go unclaimed each year – meaning hundreds of thousands of people are suffering unnecessary financial hardships.
People fail to get what is due to them for a wide number of reasons, from simply being unaware about what is on offer to being put off by the complexity of forms to fill in or concerned about revealing their details to local authorities.
Nor are benefits just for those out of work.
However, getting what you are rightly due could make a massive difference, especially as the UK heads through recession.
But with the complex web of benefits available, it is no surprise people are not getting their dues – especially those claiming benefits for the first time.
There is also the stigma attached to claiming benefits that holds people back from what can be a lifeline.
"Our research shows people are less likely to turn to benefits or a grant than get a loan from friends or the bank," says Jolanta Lasota, chief executive of charity Turn2us , which aims to get people the right benefits for them.
"There is a large lack of awareness of what is available. Some people think benefits are not for them and there are a lot of misconceptions about benefits."
She adds many people are put off by the complexity of claiming.
She highlighted Working Tax Credits as one such benefit that is often missed.
"Even people already on benefits are not aware of rebates or housing benefit available," she says.
"People need a holistic and independent view on what they are entitled to. Life can be hard enough without having to navigate through benefits."
The need for a single stop for all benefits is highlighted by Tim Nichols, spokesperson for the Child Poverty Action Group.
"We would call for more advice," he says.
There are important reasons for claiming, he adds: "There are some benefits that are a gateway to others."
Many people are failing to claim child disability living allowance, "but if they did they would also be able to claim other support on child tax credits," Mr Nichols says.
First stop
If you lose your job, "First off you should go to Job Centre Plus to register straight away," says Ms Lasota.
She adds if people are often cautious about telling speaking to the Job Centre about their finances - local face-to-face help can be useful through charities such as Citizens Advice or through some local authorities.
However, she warned local services can be strained.
Also by delaying claims, there may create problems further down the line.
However, be armed heading to the Job Centre Plus and be prepared to ask lots of questions to ensure you get your entitlement.
Tax credits
Tax credits – for those with children, on low incomes or pensioners – could well boost income.
However, they are often missed.
Help the Aged finds levels of older people not claiming benefits also to be a major problem – with £14 million of benefits a day destined for pensioners not being claimed.
The charity is calling on the government to pay benefits automatically – without those trying to claim having to go through the maze of forms – especially as one in five pensioners live in poverty.
Each year, £1.51 billion in Council Tax Benefit and £770 million in Housing Benefit goes unclaimed. Pensioners also miss £2.81 billion in Pension Credit.
Some 41 per cent of those entitled to pension credits are not getting them, while 45 per cent of pensioners who should receive council tax benefit are missing out.
"The government has most of the information it needs to identify people who are entitled to benefits and arrange automatic payment – what's needed is the political will to make it happen," says Louise Ward-Bergeman, at Help the Aged.
"Difficult economic times mean it is even more important for pensioners to get every penny that is rightfully theirs.
"The government has a moral duty to ensure older people receive their benefits but until automatic payments are introduced, older people also need to take action.
"We would urge all older people to find out if they are entitled to benefits that could help."
Beyond benefits
As well as benefits, there are a large number of charitable grants available to people – which can be hard to find – but can make a massive difference.
Ms Lasota explains advisors at Turn2us often have to look through the strands of someone's life to discover what benefits and grants are available.
"We prefer to call them grants as there is a lot of stigma still attached to turning to charities.
"But there are a lot of grants available all depending on someone's illness, if they are recently out of hospital and need certain equipment, their occupation or that of their partner.
"There can be quite a lot of investigating."
She explains her charity's research found only four per cent of people said they would approach a charity.
"There is a lot of stigma attached. But there are 3,300 charities out there offering grants for equipment for those renovating a home, for furniture if they are a new occupant. Some give a regular gift, some fund holidays for those with disabilities or children with disabilities.
"Grants cover a whole range of different situations."
She adds charities can often provide emergency support and are faster and more responsive than statutory services.
Ms Lasota also outlined a number of people who had recently gained help through Turn2US finding charitable grants.
In one case a former nurse suffering from mental health problems was given funding for a training course so she could retrain.
In a further case a 21-year-old mother of one was living in a car while her five-year-old child stayed with a friend. The local authority deemed she was ineligible for housing as they claimed she had left her previous home voluntarily.
However, a charitable grant allowed her to raise the funds for a housing bond and further support and benefits were found because she was pregnant, Jolanta explains.
"Often a little money upfront – as grants are often not huge - can really help to turn someone around," she says.
"People are also often too scared to ask, and need reassurance."
There are a number of tools online to help you get the benefits you deserve:
The Department for Work and Pensions Benefits Adviser
The Turn2us Benefits Search
The Citizens Advice Benefits Guide
Inland Revenue: Tax Credits: Do I Qualify?
Daniel Barnes
sourced from http://www.myfinances.co.uk/feature1...e-$1286726.htm
