FUNDING INCREASE FOR BENEFIT TAKE-UP SCHEMES WELCOMED BY NEATH LABOUR AM

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

Labour AM Gwenda Thomas has welcomed 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 Neath Port Talbot 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.

GWENDA THOMAS 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 my constituency.”

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

“The funding announced by the Labour-led Assembly Government means that, over the next three years, Neath Port Talbot Council will be better able to target the advice and support it offers on benefits.”

“I want to see everyone who is eligible receiving these benefits and I am pleased to see that the Labour-led Assembly Government is again leading the way in encouraging more people to take up their entitlements.”

“Local residents who think they might be eligible for Council Tax Benefit should contact Neath Port Talbot Council on 01639 763333.”