Benefits boost for Denbighshire residents

Latest figures show how advisers in Denbighshire’s Welfare Rights Advice Partnership have helped 2756 local people gain an extra £8.6m million in social security benefits and tax credits during the 12 months to April 2011. This brings the running total to £88.5 million over the past 15 years since the start of Denbighshire County Council.

Rick Abbas, Denbighshire’s Welfare Rights Manager, said: “These results reflect the dedicated work of advisers in Denbighshire’s Welfare Rights Advice Partnership: independent and quality marked services which include Denbighshire’s Citizens Advice Bureau, Rhyl Benefits Advice Shop and the Council’s Welfare Rights Team.

“This extra money is really good news for local people, the Council and the local economy when we are all living with the effects of the recession. Securing this extra income helps people to into work, manage on low wages, prevents and reduces poverty and helps with essential outgoings like Council Tax, rent and mortgage payments.

“More claims for benefits like Pension Guarantee Credit and Disability Benefits leads to a larger grant to the Council from the Welsh Government. These extra millions spent locally on goods and services will have stimulated demand and created many jobs.”

“Questionnaires returned from people who used the service showed how it improved their independence, health and reduced their need to see a doctor. This partnership is the first in the UK to track the number of children and adults it has lifted above Government poverty lines: 1057 in 12 months. Other Councils and advice partnerships across the UK are now following our lead.”

Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Inland Revenue figures show that an estimated £22m in benefit and tax credits are unclaimed or underpaid each year in Denbighshire alone. Help to claim this extra income will mitigate the effect of the UK Government’s Welfare Reforms which will result in and estimated loss of £57.5m in Denbighshire over 4 years.

Denbighshire residents who want independent advice or help with benefit and tax credit claims, disputes and appeals can contact the Council’s Welfare Rights Helpline on Freephone 0800 1696625 on weekdays between 10am and 4pm.

All calls are free and confidential. More information on Council funded advice can be found under Welfare Rights on the A to Z of the Denbighshire’s website: http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/