30/11/2007
Benefit Millions Going Unclaimed: But No One Knows How Much
There is likely to be over £300 million in government benefits going unclaimed each year.
Surprisingly though, the Department of Social Development has admitted it cannot be certain of the exact total.
However, its estimates of what went unclaimed in the last year range from £37 million to £315 million.
But, on the positive side, the take-up of the three main benefits - Income Support, Pension Credit and Housing Benefit - has gone up.
Gregory Campbell, Chairman of the Assembly Social Development Committee was disappointed though as he felt the department could have got a better grip on what the real figures were.
He said: "These figures on don't really tell us very much".
(BMcC)
Surprisingly though, the Department of Social Development has admitted it cannot be certain of the exact total.
However, its estimates of what went unclaimed in the last year range from £37 million to £315 million.
But, on the positive side, the take-up of the three main benefits - Income Support, Pension Credit and Housing Benefit - has gone up.
Gregory Campbell, Chairman of the Assembly Social Development Committee was disappointed though as he felt the department could have got a better grip on what the real figures were.
He said: "These figures on don't really tell us very much".
(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few showers around in the morning but still plenty of dry and bright spells. Drier in the afternoon, although the odd shower still possible, with longer sunny spells developing. Mostly light winds but breezy near coasts. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:It will be a dry evening with some late sunny spells before turning cloudier from the west. Becoming cloudy for all overnight with outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards. Minimum temperature 2 °C.