Latest figures show how advice workers in Denbighshire have helped 2116 local people gain an extra £8 million in social security benefits and tax credits during the 12 months to April 2010.
This brings the running total to £79.9 million over the past 14 years since the start of Denbighshire County Council.
Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, said: “This extra money is really good news for local people, the Council and the local economy when we are all living with the effects of recession.
“Securing this extra income prevents and reduces poverty and helps with essential outgoings like Council Tax, rent and mortgage payments. More claims for benefits like Pension Guarantee Credit and Disability Benefits leads to a larger grant to the Council from the Welsh Government. These extra millions spent locally on goods and services will have created demand and many jobs over the past 13 years.”
“These results reflect the dedicated work of staff in the Council’s funded Welfare Rights Advice Partnership: independent and quality marked services which include Denbighshire’s Citizens Advice Bureau, Rhyl Benefits Advice Shop and the Council’s Welfare Rights Team. Questionnaires returned from people who used the service showed how it improved their quality of life, health and reduced their need to see a doctor. This partnership is the first in the UK to track the number of children and adults it has lifted above Government poverty lines: 867 in 12 months, an achievement which makes an important difference to individuals and communities”
Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) figures show that up to £10 billion went unclaimed in Great Britain during 2006/2007 among Pension Credit, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based). On this basis the unclaimed benefit figure for Denbighshire would be £16m per year.
Denbighshire residents who want independent advice or help with benefit and tax credit claims, disputes and appeals can contact the Council’s Welfare Rights Helpline on Freephone 0800 1696625 on weekdays between 10am and 4pm. All calls are free and confidential. More information on Council funded advice can be found under Welfare Rights on the A to Z of the DCC website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk
