OLDER people in Bradford are getting £1 million extra in benefits they did not know they were entitled to after Age UK advice.

The charity's Bradford and District's Information and Advice Centre, based in Kirkgate, Bradford, has raised £1.037m since April last year.

This cash has helped 344 residents aged 50 and over who are struggling financially claim additional benefits.

The centre is the charity's starting point and provides and connects residents to a range of services, support and activities.

The drop-in information centre also helps residents with pensions, benefits, housing, health and social care, energy use and efficiency and debt counselling.

Extra benefits they might be entitled to include pension credit, attendance allowance, where people who are physically or mentally and aged over 65, could get £54.45 or £81.30 a week to help with personal care.

The service raised £1.2m in benefits during the 2013/14 financial year and it hopes to surpass the previous year's figure by this April.

Margaret Lawford, information advice manager at the centre, said: "It's a vital service that we provide. I don't know where else they would go.

"It gives them a new lease of life. A lot of old people don't realise the benefits they are entitled to.

"The money that has been generated is being spent in Bradford. It's being spent on carers in the district and giving them a boost.

"It takes five minutes to do a benefit check. A lot of these people are really struggling.

"A lot of people don't want to discuss their finances.

COMMENT: PENSIONERS DESERVING OF THEIR BENEFITS

"When they come through the door they are desperate and proud and struggling.

"Clients can need help with anything from fixing their boiler to do benefit checks.

"We love getting people back on their feet. The staff are so keen to get more and more for people.

"We also help people who are housebound. We can help them to get people to shop for them, as some people can's get out on their own."

Age UK Bradford and District is an independent charity which supports people aged 50 and over in the Bradford district.

The centre has three full-time staff, including an outreach worker who visits housebound residents, and a team of seven volunteers. Residents come into the drop-in centre initially and are then invited back for a benefits health check, which aims to find out what other additional funds they could claim.

The centre also looks to sign up residents to activities, events and leisure including free one-to-one IT lessons and art classes.

It is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm. For more information, email info@ageukbradfordanddistrict.org.uk.

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