Surrey County Council is working with The Local Pension Service to offer benefit checks and support in making claims to the residents of Surrey who are aged 60 and over.

Pension Credit has been introduced to raise pensioners’ minimum income and is claimed by 61 to 69% of those eligible, leaving between £1.5 billion and £2 billion of unclaimed benefit (21 to 28% of the total entitlement). The complexity of the eligibility assessment for disability benefits makes it difficult to measure take-up rates, but it is likely that many residents in Surrey are missing out on disability benefits.

Understanding the benefit system can be difficult but help is available. The Local Pension Service will undertake a benefits check and, if necessary, will assist with form filling and offer support in making applications for benefits, including Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Carers Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Pension Credit.

For more information on benefit checks for the over 60s see our leaflet giving examples of how an award of benefits can help you and your family to remain independent and healthy. Alternatively, you can fill in the electronic form attached