Make the Call supports over 9000 people claim £43.2million in additional benefits and supports.

The Make the Call wraparound service has helped 9340 people claim additional benefits and other support.

The Department for Communities Make the Call Service supports vulnerable people to access benefits and other supports and services which they are entitled to but had not been claiming.  

.Glynis Jones, Head of the Department’s ‘Make the Call’ Team explained: “The aim of Make the Call is to support vulnerable people when they need it most because of their age, disability, illness or in adverse circumstances.”

“We carry out a needs assessment to make sure the individual is receiving all the benefits, supports and services that they may be entitled to.  We work in partnership with other departments and organisations to offer a wider range of services for example free school meals or a home safety check, or assistance with reducing energy costs or getting a blue badge for car-parking.”

“Our intervention has helped people who Made the Call become on average £88 better off per week and in a recent survey 87% of those people who got in touch for help said the service had a positive impact on them.   The welfare system was set up to help people in need and often people don’t realise that there is support out there to assist with those uncertain and difficult times.”

One person in her 80s Made the Call.  After being assessed by an Outreach Officer, she discovered that she was entitled to an Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit.  She said: “I cannot thank Make the Call enough for getting me extra help which enabled me to stay in my own home.   This just changed everything and takes a weight of my mind as I get older.”

Notes to editors: 

1. To Make the Call, the Department has a free and confidential dedicated telephone line: 0800 232 1271,which is available for people who feel they may be missing out on benefits, services or supports they’re entitled to.  Advice and support is also available on benefits and other Government schemes such as the Blue Badge scheme, help with school meals, transport or uniform grants and hospital travel costs. Advice is also available online at nidirect.
2. For media enquiries please contact the Department for Communities Press Office on 028 9082 3502 or email press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk. For out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.
3. Follow us on twitter @CommunitiesNI

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