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21.02.08

Funding Increase for Benefit Take-Up Schemes

Efforts to increase family incomes in Gower have taken a step forward with the announcement of £3million of Assembly Government funding to extend local schemes aimed at improving the take-up of council tax benefit.

Gower Labour AM Edwina Hart has backed the new funding, which the Labour-led Assembly Government will be making available to Welsh councils over the next three years.

The funding - £1 million a year - will help councils like City and County of Swansea widen the Council Tax Benefit campaigns they run so that they encourage families with children, as well as pensioners, to take up the benefits they are entitled to.

Edwina Hart AM said:

‘’Figures show that around one in three households in Wales are entitled to this benefit, yet up to £100 million is currently being left unclaimed. This money could be making a real difference to the income of families and pensioners across Gower.”

‘‘Increasing the take-up of benefits like Council Tax Benefit has an important role to play in the Welsh Assembly Government’s aim of eradicating child poverty by 2020, and in continuing efforts to increase the income of pensioners.”

‘’I want to see everyone who is eligible receiving these benefits. The funding announced by the Assembly Government means that, over the next three years, City and County of Swansea will be better able to target the advice and support it offers on benefits.’’

Local residents who think they might be eligible for Council Tax Benefit should contact City and County of Swansea on (01792) 635382.