Ripon residents get increased benefits
20 AUGUST 2007: RIPON
residents who were missing out on benefits they were entitled to now have more money in their pockets following a special event held recently in the city.
In total a further £200,000 is being paid out to people who didn't know they were entitled to increased benefit.
Staff from Harrogate Borough Council's Benefits Service and North Yorkshire County Council's Social Care and Supporting People Team, were joined by colleagues from the Pension Service at a two day drop in session at Sunnyfield Lodge, the new extra care scheme in Ripon.
The event was part of a planned programme of joint working to make it easier for people to understand a very complicated benefit system.
Councillor Andrew Jones, Harrogate Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Resources, said:
"We take every opportunity we can to urge people to contact us if they are finding it difficult to make ends meet.
Often, people struggle along living on a low income but either are too proud to ask or are not aware of the help they can get.
"We hope to hold more of these drop in sessions where staff from more than one agency can be on hand to give essential professional advice and assistance.
They can take a lot of the worry away by making sure paperwork is completed on the day.
The two days were a great success and everyone was pleased with the outcome.
This extra money will make a huge difference to these people's lives."
ENDS
Housing benefit and Council Tax Benefit are means tested benefits, for which people have to claims.
Savings or investments must be less than £16,000.
Our website at www.harrogate.gov.uk/benefits contains an easy to use on line calculator to find out about likely entitlement.
Claims may be made through the website.
Enquiries about these benefits can be made by phone 01423 55 64 55, by email ben_rev@harrogate.gov.uk or by visit to Scottsdale House, Springfield Avenue, Harrogate, HG1 2SD.
Annually £25 million is expended on these benefits in the Harrogate District, paid for by Central Government
.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Councillor Andrew Jones is available for comment on 07720 717463.
Further technical information is available from John Murray, Benefit Services Manager, on 01423 556405.