There is something very wrong when hundreds of the most Disabled pensioners do not claim the benefits they are entitled to. Benefits they paid for throughout their working lives.

Forty per cent (40%) of Adult Social Care service users, who live in the community do not receive the Disability related benefits they are legally entitled to.

Around 1500 disabled adults receive community based care support (known as packages). Of these around 600 are not receiving the full benefits they are entitled to. The main benefits people are not claiming are:

* Attendance Allowance. (Aged 65 and over)

* Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (Covering people aged 16 to 64)

* Pension Credit

* Council Tax rebate.

Cllr Nigel Long, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said, “There is a very large number of disabled older people, many of whom are over retirement age, who are entitled to benefits, that they paid for during their working lives, who are not receiving them. We aim to improve the take up of these benefits.“

Cllr Long has agreed that the Council will employ a Welfare Benefits Officer to specialise in helping disabled and older people claim the benefits they are entitled to.

According to a report on BBC Money Box (July 2016)

“Billions of pounds go unclaimed every year by millions of people. So what can be done to improve benefit take-up so that the money reaches those who need it?” http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07hwmcl

Cllr Long concluded, “We are establishing a welfare benefits team within the Adult Social Care service to help maximise benefits for all disabled people. This is a good step that will be self funding for the Council and increase income for some of the most vulnerable residents of Milton Keynes.“