Lambeth's Every Pound Counts campaign reaches £1 million mark » Housing » 24dash.com

Lambeth Council’s Every Pound Counts advice service has so far helped more than 350 residents gain an average of just over £3,000 each per year, by ensuring they claim all the benefits they are entitled to.

The service, which is for residents aged 60 and above, ill and disabled people and their carers, and families looking after ill or disabled children, has advised more than 1,000 people, helping them with everything from filling in forms for welfare benefits and tax credits to assisting with appeals.

Councillor Lorna Campbell, Lambeth's cabinet member for health and care services, said: "Our Every Pound Counts advisors are on hand to offer support in negotiating what can seem like a bewildering benefits system.
"It's fantastic that this campaign has already unlocked £1,000,000 in the borough and we would like to help many more Lambeth residents get the cash they're entitled to."

Nationally, it is estimated that over £2 billion of benefits go unclaimed every year by those aged 60 or over, often because people do not realise they are entitled to it or do not know where to go for help.

More than a million children living in poverty live in families affected by disability or ill health, yet many of these families also fail to claim the benefits they are entitled to.

Call Lambeth’s Every Pound Counts on 020 7926 5555, email everypoundcounts@lambeth.gov.uk or visit www.lambeth.gov.uk/everypoundcounts for more details.