Islington residents, particularly those of 60 and over, are being targeted by a new service that will help them to boost their income. The service will offer the most vulnerable people one to one support to help them claim up to five different benefits and allowances from the comfort of their own homes. Together, Islington Council, Age Concern Islington and the Government's Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will provide the new service. There are five benefits for which professional one to one help will be available. They are:
*Pension credit
*Council tax benefit
*Attendance allowance
*Disability living allowance, and
*Housing benefit.
Cllr John Gilbert, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Services, said: "I am delighted that the council is working together with central Government and the voluntary sector to boost the incomes of Islington's less well-off residents. We are especially keen to hear from people aged 60 and over since figures from the Department of Work and Pensions show many are not claiming the help they need and we are keen to change that.
"Sending officers to the homes of the most vulnerable people will ensure they get the help they need to complete the different claim forms, which some people may find complicated. For a benefit check residents should ring 0207 527 4990, to see how this vital new service can help them."
Some civil servants from the Government's pensions service are moving from their central London base and joining council staff, in Islington, to create a new Joint Visiting Team that will provide the service. It is the first time that civil servants and council officers will have worked together to provide services directly to Islington's residents. The new Joint Visiting Team will be responsible for making appointments and carrying out the visits. Vulnerable residents who are visited by officers from the Joint Visiting Team will be told about other benefits available to them such as concessionary fares, and how to claim equipment like smoke alarms, that is available free to the over 60s.
In October 2006, the Joint Visiting Team will launch an information campaign to raise awareness amongst Islington residents, especially people of 60 or over, about how it can help them. As part of the campaign, hundreds of leaflets and posters will be placed at key information points in Islington, such as libraries, doctors' surgeries, council receptions and day centres for the elderly. Age Concern Islington will work with the new Joint Visiting Team to carry out visits.
Deborah Fowler, Chief Executive of Age Concern Islington, said: "Age Concern Islington is pleased to be working with the council to provide a much needed service to older Islington residents, including the most vulnerable, to ensure that older people get the benefits to which they are entitled."
Residents of 60 and over who want to book a home visit should ring the Council's Benefit Centre on 0207 527 4990.
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008