Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

£2 million in unclaimed benefits distributed to those entitled to them - Brady

Published: 29 October, 2009

Sinn Féin MLA for Newry/Armagh, Mickey Brady has welcomed news that A2B (Access to Benefits) is now over £2 million better off.

Users of the A2B Benefit Calculator have been able to apply for £2,142,029 after learning of their unclaimed entitlement to Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Rate Relief and Tax Credits

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on welfare rights and older people said;

"Thanks to A2B, older people across the North will benefit from this additional £2 million ayear. The A2B Benefit Calculator which was launched in October last year is the first of its kind in the North. In its first year it has helped nearly 5,000 older people find out what their entitlements are before they make a claim.

"At least £60 million of Pension Credit goes unclaimed every year by people aged over 60 in the Six Counties. As this money does not come from the Assembly's block grant it is returned to the British exchequer. The money is lost not just to older people here but to the entire economy in the North.

Mr Brady also reminded people that the A2B benefit calculator is completely confidential.

"You can work out your entitlements without the need to give your name, address or National Insurance number to anyone. You or someone you trust can go onto the A2B website and check your entitlements safely in a few easy steps. It's simple, it's anonymous and best of all it's free. Anyone who is unsure how to use this service should contact any of the Sinn Féin offices in Newry/Armagh and we can help you out."