Age NI - putting more money in the pockets of older people in Ballycastle

As part of the campaign, Age NI has produced the More Money in your Pocket guide which is essential reading for older people to claim the benefits they’re entitled to and to access information about benefit changes.

Jacqui Corscadden, Head of Services, said: ‘There are a lot of changes being made to benefits. This guide is useful for those who may be confused about welfare reform and focuses on the main changes including who will be affected and when. It’s important that people prepare for the changes now.”

Jacqui continued: “Last year in Northern Ireland, the Age NI Advice Service dealt with over 10,000 calls and helped to identify over £1 million in unclaimed benefit for older people in need.

“However, there’s still a lot of money going unclaimed in benefits by older people here - in fact, a staggering £200 million including Housing Benefit and Pension Credit! That’s why we are asking people across Northern Ireland, who might be entitled to benefits or may be in doubt about how their current benefits will be affected, to pick up or download a guide today.”

For hard copies of the More Money in your Pocket guide, call Age NI on 028 9024 5729 or visit www.ageni.org/moremoney to download a version. This guide is also available at your local Credit Union.

If you or someone you know would like to have a free benefits check, call the Age NI Advice Service on freephone 0808 808 7575 and speak to a trained advisor in confidence.