Thousands of older people across Dundee are missing out on financial support they are entitled to, according to the team behind a revamped community project.
Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau is refreshing its Older Persons Advice Service for people aged 60 and over, with a newly appointed Older Persons Adviser taking support directly into communities across the city.
The dedicated adviser will visit sheltered housing schemes, care homes, lunch clubs, churches, charities and other community organisations to explain the support available, with follow-up meetings available at the Bureau’s Wellgate office, a community setting or, where appropriate, with a home visit.
The project aims to help older people maximise their income, reduce household costs and understand what support they may be entitled to, with benefit checks and guidance on the State Retirement Pension, Pension Credits, Adult and Pension Age Disability Payment (ADP/PADP), fuel vouchers and energy efficiency support, including switching energy tariffs. The adviser can also help people complete lengthy and complex forms, follow up existing claims and signpost to other services like Care and Repair, which helps older home-owners or private sector tenants with disabilities or long-term health conditions with home repairs, improvements and advice.
Claire Christie, Chief Executive Officer, Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau, said, “We understand that accessing support, or even realising you’re entitled to it, can be challenging and intimidating, and we’ve identified a real gap in community-based provision for older people.
“We also know that everyone’s circumstances are different, and that can put people off seeking help. Someone in their 60s may still be working while their partner has retired. Others may have stopped work but not yet reached State Pension age or may be moving from working-age benefits to pension-age support. Bereavement, retirement, moving into sheltered housing or residential care, or a change in health can all significantly affect household income. So too can navigating complex energy bills or dealing with maintenance issues at home.
“There are also lots of misconceptions. People often assume that because they own their own home or receive a pension, they won’t be entitled to any further support. We meet people who have never considered Pension Credit or disability payments, or who are still working well into their 80s when they may no longer need to. We want to meet people where they are and make it as easy as possible for them to ask for help.”
The Bureau is keen to hear from any organisation working with and supporting older people, including people with Power of Attorney, who can get in touch on behalf of the person they support.
The funding is administered by Dundee City Council on behalf of The Hospital Fund and Johnson Bequest.
Last year, Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau supported over 4,600 people, mainly with welfare benefits, money and debt, and housing. Committed to providing free, confidential and impartial advice, the charity also helps people with employment, consumer rights, energy advice, NHS complaints, immigration and a range of other issues.
Over the past three years, the Bureau has resolved almost 30,000 individual issues and secured nearly £5.4 million in financial gains for clients.
For more information, visit dundeecab.cas.org.uk
