BY THE END OF THIS WINTER THE KEEP WARM, EAT WELL PROJECT WILL HAVE SECURED £1 MILLION IN UNCLAIMED BENEFITS

A project to help the elderly to keep their homes warm this winter and eat properly is starting to make a difference to people’s lives.

The Keep Warm, Eat Well Project is funded by the North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus (CTP) and is estimated that by the end of the winter more than £1 million will have been secured in unclaimed benefits for the elderly residents of North East Lincolnshire.

Last winter the CTP highlighted some alarming facts: that many older people living in the borough could not afford to pay their fuel bills and eat properly, which could have been a factor leading to the increased admissions to hospital and higher mortality rates among the elderly population.

The CTP is working in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau, Community Advice Service and Home Efficiency Team to provide welfare benefits advice designed to raise the income of the elderly population and to help them keep their home warm this winter.

Sarah Avery, CTP Transforming Care communications project manager, said: “Keep Ward, Eat Well is actively working to tackle poverty and reduce the impact of problems related to low incomes.

The project is successfully increasing older people’s incomes, with vital information and advice to help them access welfare benefit entitlements, pension credit take-up, advice on how to heat their homes economically and how to eat well to stay healthy.”

The campaign focuses on three main contact numbers (01472) 232203 or (01472) 871383 for benefits and council tax advice and (01472) 324782 for heating and insulation advice.

An over-60s drop-in session is now held by the Community Advice Service every Tuesday at the Home Shop, 31 Freeman Street, from 1pm to 4pm; no appointment is needed.

Home visits are also available too by calling (01472) 871383. Older people can help with form filling, Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit and get a full benefit check.

Tony Gaskins, Citizens Advice Bureau Chief Executive, said: “Keep Warm, Eat Well Project is really beginning to make difference in elderly people’s lives. More than £113,000 in additional benefit income has been secured for people who have used the project. Community Advice Service has secured similar benefits for people aged 60 or over.

“While some older people are enjoying more sociable, active and wealthier lifestyles, others remain isolated, poor and relatively powerless.

“Many older people heat one room in the house, buy the cheapest food, and never spend money on holidays or clothes.”

Annmarie Webster, Service Manager at the Community Advice Service, said: “As the recession continues to bite, pensioner poverty is growing. This is why the Keep Warm, Eat Well Project is vital at this time to assist those most in need.”

People aged 60 or over who are worried that their heating bills have increased, or are worried that their homes are not warm enough, should contact the Keep Warm, Eat Well Project to make sure they are receiving their full entitlement to benefits and that they can keep their homes warm.