Nearly 90 people aged 75 and over in Preston are better off by a total of around £70,000 a year following a benefit take-up campaign.
The campaign was organised by Lancashire County Council’s Welfare Rights Service in partnership with Preston City Council.
The city council used their records to identify over-75s in their area. They then sent out a letter inviting people to apply for a free and confidential benefits check.
With the help of welfare rights officers, those households who were missing out on benefits they were entitled to have secured an average of an extra £55 per week each.
However, as staff are continuing to work through the requests, many more people could find themselves better off as a result of the campaign.
County Councillor Azhar Ali, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This is great news for older people in Preston, who have had a welcome boost to their incomes.
“As well as the hard-working staff of our Welfare Rights Service, I’d also like to thank our partners at Preston City Council for their help in making this campaign such a success.
“The Welfare Rights Service has been running these campaigns very successfully for many years now. I would urge older people to get in touch and ask for a free and confidential benefits check.
“As we have seen in the Preston campaign and elsewhere, it really could make all the difference.”
Councillor Martyn Rawlinson, Preston City Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for resources, said: “It’s nice to see both councils working successfully together for the benefit of our community, increasing the spending power of some of our elderly residents in the district.”
People wanting a free and confidential benefit check can phone the Welfare Rights Service on 0300 123 6739 or email infowrs@lancashire.gov.uk.
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