Date: 13 November 2006 20:12

BENEFIT CAMPAIGN ON TRACK TO BOOST INCOME FOR LEAST WELL OFF

A benefits advice service set up by the County Council is on track to boost 
the income of the least well off in Cambridgeshire by millions of pounds.

The Benefit Take Up Campaign was launched in 2004. It's funded by the County 
Council and the advice and assistance is provided by specialist advisors 
employed by the Citizens Advice Bureau.

This year the campaign was expected to increase the income of hundreds of 
people around Cambridgeshire by a total of £3 million - but the latest 
figures show that after the first five months of the financial year the 
campaign has generated £1,309,950 - ahead of target by £60,000.

The CAB advisors help people - including older people, families and 
thosewith disabilities - to claim a wide range of government benefits, 
including attendance and carers allowance, child benefit, disability living 
allowance, pension credit, tax credits and housing or council tax benefit.

 It has been estimated that between 17,000 and 27,000 Cambridgeshire 
residents are not claiming benefits for which they are eligible.

County Council Cabinet Member for Community Learning and Development and 
Adult Social Care, Councillor Fred Yeulett, said: "In recent years the 
Benefits Advice Service has proved its worth and I am delighted that the 
skilled and dedicated CAB advisers have been able to benefit so many in the 
community and provided such a major financial boost to scores of 
peoplearound the county.

"Thanks to the continuing financial support from the County Council the CAB 
advisers are able to help even more people to increase their income to 
improve life for themselves and their families - I am delighted that the 
service is already running well ahead of target for the amount of increased 
benefit cash generated for people of all ages in Cambridgeshire."

Since the beginning of the financial year the CAB has introduced debt 
caseworkers to work alongside the benefit advisors, significantly increased 
the take up of tax credit benefits for working families in the county and 
increased the coverage of the South Cambridgeshire district and harder to 
reach groups in the community.

John Reynolds