Extra £480k for Larne's vulnerable people

Commenting on the Benefit Uptake Programme for 2014/15, DSD Minister Mervyn Storey stated that an additional £480,848 in benefits was obtained by those who were entitled to it, but previously had not been claiming.

The minister also confirmed that in total, 4,702 people across the province gained an additional £15.9million in benefits.

Mr Storey said: “Not only are thousands of people receiving extra help with their household bills, but this additional £16million also benefits our economy with people spending the extra cash in their local communities.”

DSD’s ‘Make the Call’ advertising generated over 18,000 calls, resulting in benefits generated equating to just under £6million.