Menu
07/10/2008
Reallocate Fuel Funds To Needy, Says MLA
A Stormont Assembly member has radically called for the reallocation of fuel allowances, so funds are directed at those who need it most.
Alliance Party MLA Trevor Lunn said pensioners who do not collection their winter allowance, or simply do not need it, should give it to those less well-off.
Mr Lunn suggested the unused funds should be redirected to an older people's charity.
In Northern Ireland, those over 60 receive the sum of £250, with the over 80s collecting £400 to help heat their home.
"There are many people out there who are entitled to the payment but don't even bother to collect it because they don't need it," said Mr Lunn.
He insisted the money "is simply going back into the Treasury's coffers".
Age Concern's Anne O'Reilly said unclaimed benefits should be automatically redistributed.
However, she stressed there was a wider problem of benefits being unclaimed.
The NI Government is now better placed to deal with the problem, according to Ms O'Reilly.
"There is up to £160m in terms of unclaimed benefits. What we think could be better, is that if there was an automatic use of that money," she said.
(PR)
Alliance Party MLA Trevor Lunn said pensioners who do not collection their winter allowance, or simply do not need it, should give it to those less well-off.
Mr Lunn suggested the unused funds should be redirected to an older people's charity.
In Northern Ireland, those over 60 receive the sum of £250, with the over 80s collecting £400 to help heat their home.
"There are many people out there who are entitled to the payment but don't even bother to collect it because they don't need it," said Mr Lunn.
He insisted the money "is simply going back into the Treasury's coffers".
Age Concern's Anne O'Reilly said unclaimed benefits should be automatically redistributed.
However, she stressed there was a wider problem of benefits being unclaimed.
The NI Government is now better placed to deal with the problem, according to Ms O'Reilly.
"There is up to £160m in terms of unclaimed benefits. What we think could be better, is that if there was an automatic use of that money," she said.
(PR)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 August 2011
Growth In Empty NI Shops Lead To Worries
The growing number of empty shops across NI is causing concerns. Last week, it was revealed that more than one in 10 town and city centre shops across the UK were vacant at the end of May with NI having an even worse rate closer to two in 10 - or more than 17%.
Growth In Empty NI Shops Lead To Worries
The growing number of empty shops across NI is causing concerns. Last week, it was revealed that more than one in 10 town and city centre shops across the UK were vacant at the end of May with NI having an even worse rate closer to two in 10 - or more than 17%.
27 February 2013
Bomb Alert Was Hoax Says PSNI
A bomb alert in Newtownabbey has been declared a hoax. PSNI have described the security alert as an "elaborate hoax". The M5, was closed in both directions from Hazelbank to Doagh Road, on Tuesday night. All roads have re-opened.
Bomb Alert Was Hoax Says PSNI
A bomb alert in Newtownabbey has been declared a hoax. PSNI have described the security alert as an "elaborate hoax". The M5, was closed in both directions from Hazelbank to Doagh Road, on Tuesday night. All roads have re-opened.
23 June 2004
NI cancer victims not claiming benefits
Cancer sufferers in Northern Ireland are twice as likely to claim disability benefits than someone living in Scotland, but millions of pounds remain unclaimed. This is according to a report by leading cancer care charity Macmillan Cancer Relief, which revealed that more than £126.
NI cancer victims not claiming benefits
Cancer sufferers in Northern Ireland are twice as likely to claim disability benefits than someone living in Scotland, but millions of pounds remain unclaimed. This is according to a report by leading cancer care charity Macmillan Cancer Relief, which revealed that more than £126.
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.
30 November 2007
Benefit Millions Going Unclaimed: But No One Knows How Much
There is likely to be over £300 million in government benefits going unclaimed each year. Surprisingly though, the Department of Social Development has admitted it cannot be certain of the exact total. However, its estimates of what went unclaimed in the last year range from £37 million to £315 million.
Benefit Millions Going Unclaimed: But No One Knows How Much
There is likely to be over £300 million in government benefits going unclaimed each year. Surprisingly though, the Department of Social Development has admitted it cannot be certain of the exact total. However, its estimates of what went unclaimed in the last year range from £37 million to £315 million.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
