Bid to boost benefits (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bid to boost benefits

More than 15,000 Wiltshire pensioners are missing out on claiming benefits such as pension credit, according to Age Concern Wiltshire.

This may be because they don't know that they are entitled to claim, or may find the system too complicated. Some pensioners may also think of benefits as charity instead of an entitlement.

Age Concern Wiltshire, with help from Community First, has set up a new project to investigate and address the barriers to claiming benefits.

The project was launched this month and work will start in the parishes of Atworth, Holt, Hilperton and Broughton Gifford.

Emily Cole, the benefits take up project worker, is happy to give talks and presentations to local groups.

She and her team are available to visit people for benefits checks and to help fill in any necessary forms. Emily can be contacted on (01380) 735500.