Carmarthenshire benefits help
Age Concern Sir Gar is training volunteers to help people claim the benefits they are entitled to.
The scheme involves recruiting and training volunteer advisors to carry out home visits as part of a planned welfare rights and information outreach project.
There will be an emphasis on attendance allowance but the project will also actively promote and aid applications for other welfare benefits including council tax benefit, as well as providing advice on other council tax discounts and exemptions.
The project is being helped through a £20,000 grant from Carmarthenshire County Council, given from a Welsh Assembly Government funded scheme aimed at providing help for pensioners.
Training on Council Tax and Housing Benefit has already been provided to the first intake of volunteers by staff from the council’s Revenue Services Unit.
It is planned to provide regular outreach bases in Whitland and Newcastle Emlyn with smaller and more frequent surgeries being held in other areas.
However, thanks to funding from the county council the project has already started in Llanelli.
Executive board business manager Cllr Pam Palmer said: “This service will be invaluable in helping older people claim the benefits they are entitled to and will help make a real difference to their lives.
“I would urge people to contact Age Concern and take advantage of this opportunity.”
The scheme involves recruiting and training volunteer advisors to carry out home visits as part of a planned welfare rights and information outreach project.
There will be an emphasis on attendance allowance but the project will also actively promote and aid applications for other welfare benefits including council tax benefit, as well as providing advice on other council tax discounts and exemptions.
The project is being helped through a £20,000 grant from Carmarthenshire County Council, given from a Welsh Assembly Government funded scheme aimed at providing help for pensioners.
Training on Council Tax and Housing Benefit has already been provided to the first intake of volunteers by staff from the council’s Revenue Services Unit.
It is planned to provide regular outreach bases in Whitland and Newcastle Emlyn with smaller and more frequent surgeries being held in other areas.
However, thanks to funding from the county council the project has already started in Llanelli.
Executive board business manager Cllr Pam Palmer said: “This service will be invaluable in helping older people claim the benefits they are entitled to and will help make a real difference to their lives.
“I would urge people to contact Age Concern and take advantage of this opportunity.”
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