Information and Advice
Click here for the Welsh version of this section
The Information and Advice Service provides a free and confidential service to people 55 and over.
Information can be obtained on several issues ranging from money matters to health and social care, housing grants leisure activities to any topic of interest to older people, their carers and families. We also help with form filling mainly for welfare benefits. We offer a home visiting service. If we cannot help we will signpost or refer to an appropriate agency.
COUNCIL TAX AND HOUSING BENEFIT
Age Concern Ceredigion has recently received a grant from the Welsh Assembly Government to assist older people in the county to apply for Council Tax and Housing Benefit. Research shows that people over the age of 60 are the least likely to apply for these benefits and many are entitled to them.
One of the reasons that older people hesitate to get in touch with us is that they think they are being a nuisance or wasting our time. Please do not be tempted to think this! We are an organisation dedicated to supporting older people and if older people did not contact us we would not be here! We would far rather someone came to us and found that they were not entitled to any help, than that they never came to us at all.
Often, we will be able to give you an answer over the phone, once you have answered a few questions. If it looks as though you are entitled to one or both Benefits, we can then make an appointment for you to come in and complete the relevant form. If you are unable to get to one of our offices, we can arrange a home visit.
If you qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit, you will automatically be eligible for Council Tax Benefit, and if relevant, Housing Benefit. If you are not receiving Pension Credit and your savings are less than £16000, you may still qualify for some Benefit. If you live on your own, you will receive a 25% reduction in your Council Tax. If you have a disability or mental health problem, or you care for someone with mental health problems, you may also be eligible for a discount.
Our Information & Advice project has helped older people receive in excess of £1 million pounds in benefits from February 2009 – 10
As with many things in life, the only way to find out is to ask and the only way to get it is to apply. Age Concern Ceredigion is here to help you with both things. Please get in touch!
Information fact sheets