A DRAMATIC increase in welfare benefits take-up among local residents is the result of a determined drive launched by Richmond Council.

A major campaign, in partnership with Age Concern Richmond Upon Thames and the Pensions Service, started last September and is aimed at raising awareness among local residents of how to claim benefits they are entitled to - so they avoid missing out.

The continuing campaign involves home visits to give residents personal advice.

Of social services clients contacted during the first three months, two thirds were found not to be claiming all the benefits they should be having. Claims for just half of these have resulted in additional benefits of £100,000 a year.

This is just the beginning of the campaign, so the overall potential increase in benefits take-up borough-wide is huge.

Richmond council claims it is the only local authority that has organised and funded a three way partnership of this kind, between central government, local government and the voluntary sector.

The council's cabinet member for social services and housing, Cllr Jean Matthews, said: "These efforts have reaped tremendous success to date, and the campaign will go on until we are satisfied that the message on benefits take-up has got through.

"There is no stigma in claiming benefit, and this highly pro-active campaign aims to ensure that everyone entitled to the money on offer actually receives it.

"Most of the people helped so far have been in their 80s and 90s and we hope this campaign can give them a greater degree of independence than would otherwise have been possible."

Under a contract with Age Concern, a dedicated welfare benefits advice team will offer to visit every person in the borough receiving non-residential social services, to advise on benefits they may be able to claim, and how to access help.

The council is also working in partnership with the Department of Work and Pensions to increase Pension Credit take-up across the borough.

One major source of help for older people is Age Concern's own information and advice service which can be reached on 020 8940 8118.