Millions available to help residents BEAT financial struggles
Darlington Borough Council helped residents, aged between 17 and 86, living across the town and local villages receive a £1.6 million boost from the Citizens Advice Benefit Entitlement Action Team (BEAT).
The council supports Citizens Advice to help residents check and claim any benefits they may be entitled to.
Millions go unclaimed by our residents every year. In 2024, £1.6m in benefits was paid to residents. However, millions are still going unclaimed.
The council is pleased to announce we are continuing to support the great work Citizens Advice (CA) do – helping to get more money to those who need it. Our key message to everyone is to check and encourage everyone they know to check if they qualify for benefits and claim if you are!
The Citizens Advice Benefits Entitlement Action Team (BEAT) helps residents check if they may be entitled to benefits and supports them through the claim process. In addition, the team help people with reconsiderations and to appeal decisions – over 85 per cent of appeals supported in 2024 were successful.
Councillor Jim Garner, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Citizens Advice. They work tirelessly to get people the money they may be entitled to. Knowing residents are £1.6m better off is just fantastic! We need to get the rest of the money to where it belongs!
“There are a variety of benefits to help support people, however, many people do not claim them. We are unsure why, however, feedback we have received; along with other research indicates people are not aware of what benefits exist, some think they won’t be entitled to any benefits because they work, may shy away from what they consider will be a complex application process or fear of getting it wrong and others feel uncomfortable asking for help and will not want to face up to engaging with someone to help them, especially if they suffer from health and wellbeing problems. Yet the BEAT team is here to help support, guide and inform them and even complete claim forms.
“This money is for our residents – if unclaimed, it stays with the central government. We need it here in the pockets of people living in our town, supporting our residents, our economy.
“We urge everyone to check if they may be entitled to claim any benefits and make a claim if they are. If you are unsure how to check or want help to check and claim for any benefits, the CA BEAT will help. Get in touch, call, email, visit, whatever suits you best – but do not miss what is yours any longer!”
Helen Howson, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: “It is such great news to have the council’s support to help us get money to residents who should rightfully have it. In the last 12 months, £1.6 million has been paid out to residents. Money that was rightfully theirs. And millions are still going unclaimed!
“Disability and incapacity benefits remain underclaimed and account for three-quarters of the unclaimed money. If you, or a family member, have a long-term health illness or disability, we strongly encourage you to check if you are eligible.”
If you need help or support to find out if you are eligible and to apply for any benefits, visit the Citizens Advice website www.citizensadvicedrc.org.uk, email [email protected] or call 01325 734999. You can also pop in to talk to someone at CA, between 10 am and noon, Monday - Friday, The Core Building, Church Row, DL1 5QD. (next to the Boot and Shoe).