MSE News: Charities in plea over unclaimed benefits 3 February 2010 at 12:01PM in Benefits & tax credits 29 replies 2.6K views

Former_MSE_Guy

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE news story:

"A coalition of charities has called on the Government to improve the take-up of benefits ..."

Read the full story:
Charities in plea over unclaimed benefits

NASA_2

It should be up to individuals to investigate their own entitlements rather than the government searching them out.

clb776

Alot of people are not aware what they are entitled to. For example the elderly may not be aware they are entitled to pension credits, so they are not getting the money they deserve or need. Alot of elderly people wouldn't know how to go about claiming for these things, and even a letter provding information about benefits that you are entitled to would be a start. Many people do miss out and it is unfair.

NASA_2

clb776 wrote: »

Alot of people are not aware what they are entitled to. For example the elderly may not be aware they are entitled to pension credits, so they are not getting the money they deserve or need. Alot of elderly people wouldn't know how to go about claiming for these things, and even a letter provding information about benefits that you are entitled to would be a start. Many people do miss out and it is unfair.

It's their own fault.

alwaysonthego_2

I see loads of clients that do not know they are entitled to CTC and they often tell me that their neighbour told them that they were not entitled or they just geniunely do not know. As part of my role, when I speak to clients often about other issues I will always check they are getting their benefit entitlements. Possibly if the CAB had more cash to do mobile benefit surgeries on weekends in shopping centres possibly where some of these families/individuals can be educated.

PayDay

NASA wrote: »

It's their own fault.

It's their own fault because they have never claimed benefits before?

Those that claim benefits seem to know about every penny they can squeeze out in handouts, so why shouldn't those that have never been a burden to the country have help?

NASA_2

PayDay wrote: »

It's their own fault because they have never claimed benefits before?

Those that claim benefits seem to know about every penny they can squeeze out in handouts, so why shouldn't those that have never been a burden to the country have help?

Its their job to educate themselves. Anyone can put a claim in for a means tested benefit no matter what their particular circumstance is. If they arent entitled they will be told so - if they are they will get money. Its not exactly rocket science.

Oldernotwiser

There's plenty of advertisements on TV about tax credits (although I don't thinkI've seen any for Pension Credits) so I don'tthinkanymore than this is required.

People do have to take personal resposibility for many aspects of their lives.

dmg24

PayDay wrote: »

It's their own fault because they have never claimed benefits before?

Those that claim benefits seem to know about every penny they can squeeze out in handouts, so why shouldn't those that have never been a burden to the country have help?

There is a clear reason why discussion threads are not supposed to be posted on here!

Indie_Kid

I imagine some of it is related to how long and difficult the forms are. I know someone who said because of the issues she's had with DLA for her older daughter and how long the forms are, she's not going to attempt to claim it for her youngest two.

NASA_2

sh1305 wrote: »

I imagine some of it is related to how long and difficult the forms are. I know someone who said because of the issues she's had with DLA for her older daughter and how long the forms are, she's not going to attempt to claim it for her youngest two.

Three kids on DLA? (Or at least thought about).

I think the most I have seen is 5 disabled kids and two disabled adults on the one claim.