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09/11/2020
More Than £44m Claimed In Additional Benefits
The Department of Communities 'Make The Call' campaign has seen more than 9,500 claim an additional over £44 million in benefits.
The figure for 2019-20 brings the total for additional entitlements claimed to over a quarter of a billion pounds since 2005.
The 'Make the Call' service supports people in accessing benefits and services to which they are entitled but have not been claiming.
The additional £262m claimed over the last 15 years has been generated for people in Northern Ireland, many of whom are vulnerable through age or disability, illness or adverse circumstances.
Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said: "The aim of 'Make the Call' is to support people when they need it most. Major life changes such as taking on caring responsibilities, illness or disability, retirement or bereavement can mean people become entitled to a range of different benefits and supports or services.
"Often people don't realise that there is support out there to assist them during such difficult times, which have increased now due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With 'Make the Call' we are actively reaching out to those thousands of people each year in situations where every pound generated can help improve someone's life."
In addition to supporting the uptake of unclaimed benefit, the 'Make the Call' campaign connects people to other services and supports available across the wider government, voluntary and community sectors.
This can include support such as:
• a blue badge for car parking or a free bus pass
• access to local groups to help maintain community connections and social independence
• free school meals
• home safety checks
• assistance with reducing energy costs.
The Minister continued: "Our intervention has helped people who 'Made the Call' become, on average, £88 better off per week. In addition during 2019/20, a total of 665 people have been referred to our partner organisations which help with non-benefit supports and services that can also make a real difference to their lives."
To 'Make the Call' you can phone 0800 232 1271; text ADVICE to 67300; go to nidirect.gov.uk/makethecall or email makethecall@dfcni.gov.uk
The figure for 2019-20 brings the total for additional entitlements claimed to over a quarter of a billion pounds since 2005.
The 'Make the Call' service supports people in accessing benefits and services to which they are entitled but have not been claiming.
The additional £262m claimed over the last 15 years has been generated for people in Northern Ireland, many of whom are vulnerable through age or disability, illness or adverse circumstances.
Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said: "The aim of 'Make the Call' is to support people when they need it most. Major life changes such as taking on caring responsibilities, illness or disability, retirement or bereavement can mean people become entitled to a range of different benefits and supports or services.
"Often people don't realise that there is support out there to assist them during such difficult times, which have increased now due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With 'Make the Call' we are actively reaching out to those thousands of people each year in situations where every pound generated can help improve someone's life."
In addition to supporting the uptake of unclaimed benefit, the 'Make the Call' campaign connects people to other services and supports available across the wider government, voluntary and community sectors.
This can include support such as:
• a blue badge for car parking or a free bus pass
• access to local groups to help maintain community connections and social independence
• free school meals
• home safety checks
• assistance with reducing energy costs.
The Minister continued: "Our intervention has helped people who 'Made the Call' become, on average, £88 better off per week. In addition during 2019/20, a total of 665 people have been referred to our partner organisations which help with non-benefit supports and services that can also make a real difference to their lives."
To 'Make the Call' you can phone 0800 232 1271; text ADVICE to 67300; go to nidirect.gov.uk/makethecall or email makethecall@dfcni.gov.uk
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03 October 2023
'Make The Call' Service Pays Out £55m In Additional Benefits
Around £55 million of additional benefits has been claimed in the past year by almost 12,000 people using the Department for Communities' 'Make the Call' service. The advice service connects people with the benefits, supports and services they are entitled to and have not previously been claiming.
'Make The Call' Service Pays Out £55m In Additional Benefits
Around £55 million of additional benefits has been claimed in the past year by almost 12,000 people using the Department for Communities' 'Make the Call' service. The advice service connects people with the benefits, supports and services they are entitled to and have not previously been claiming.
19 October 2022
'Make The Call' Service Generates £50m In Additional Benefits
The Department for Communities 'Make The Call' service – which helps people access entitlements they have not been claiming – has generated £50 million in additional benefits over the last year. Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey welcomed the 'Make the Call' results which saw nearly 11,000 people become, on average, £88 a week better off. The £49.
'Make The Call' Service Generates £50m In Additional Benefits
The Department for Communities 'Make The Call' service – which helps people access entitlements they have not been claiming – has generated £50 million in additional benefits over the last year. Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey welcomed the 'Make the Call' results which saw nearly 11,000 people become, on average, £88 a week better off. The £49.
22 May 2018
Over 60 Schools Lose Breakfast And Homework Club Funding
Some 63 schools across NI "no longer meet the criteria" for funding programmes for disadvantaged children. The schools will no longer receive the funding needed to run breakfast and homework clubs and pay for additional parenting supports, following a decision by the DoE.
Over 60 Schools Lose Breakfast And Homework Club Funding
Some 63 schools across NI "no longer meet the criteria" for funding programmes for disadvantaged children. The schools will no longer receive the funding needed to run breakfast and homework clubs and pay for additional parenting supports, following a decision by the DoE.
20 October 2021
People £90 Per Week Better Off After Using Make The Call Service
People who 'Made the Call' to check the eligibility for unclaimed benefits, became on average £90 better off per week, according to the latest figures from the Department for Communities. According to the figures, in 2020/21 the Make the Call service supported 9000 people in accessing £42 million in unclaimed benefits.
People £90 Per Week Better Off After Using Make The Call Service
People who 'Made the Call' to check the eligibility for unclaimed benefits, became on average £90 better off per week, according to the latest figures from the Department for Communities. According to the figures, in 2020/21 the Make the Call service supported 9000 people in accessing £42 million in unclaimed benefits.
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