05 December 2005 - Pensioners urged to claim their cash with just one call
From today, pensioners can call one phone number to claim three key benefits, making it even easier for them to get the money they are entitled to.
James Plaskitt, Minister for Benefits launched the new process and urged pensioners to claim Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit in one simple phone call.
Mr Plaskitt said:
“We are committed to making it as easy as possible for pensioners to get the benefits they are entitled to. That is why we have already started calling people on Pension Credit to make sure they are also claiming their Housing and Council Tax Benefits. The results have been very positive, with people receiving on average up to £700 back from the cost of their Council Tax bills.
“Now we are making this service available to new Pension Credit customers. If someone calls to claim Pension Credit, they will be helped to claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit at the same time. Some customers could receive substantial arrears.
“It is a short and straightforward process as the forms are filled in for customers over the phone. As we have made the process so much shorter, for example a three page form instead of a 26 page form to claim Council Tax Benefit, pensioners could find themselves significantly better off.”
The Department for Work and Pensions is working closely with Local Authorities to introduce the new claim process and raise awareness of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit entitlement amongst Pension Credit customers.
The Pension Credit Application Line is 0800 99 1234.
Notes to Editors
- The existing 26-page HB/CTB claim form has been replaced by a new three-page HCTB 1 (PCA) claim form for new Pension Credit customers
- The simplified system means that Pension Credit customers will only have to provide their financial information once. They will be sent the pre-completed three-page Council Tax form to check, sign and return to their Local Authority. This means they will no longer have to fill in a 26 page form from scratch. The income and savings information supplied for the Pension Credit application will be used for their additional benefit claims including Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit.
- The amount customers receive from other benefits will remain the same because HB/CTB will not affect entitlement to other benefits.
- Customers may be entitled to a rebate on what they have already paid as their claim can be backdated for up to 12 months.
- The initiative has been piloted in Calderdale, York, Bolton, Blackpool, Derby, Gwynedd, Leeds, Sefton, Craven, Carlisle, St Helens, Burnley and Liverpool Aberdeenshire, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Glasgow, Canterbury, Dartford, Dover, Gravesham, Maidstone, Medway, Sevenoaks. Swale, Thanet, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells.
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