Age UK County Durham helps county’s residents claim more than £8 million in benefits
IN the last financial year, Age UK County Durham secured more than £8 million in previously
unclaimed allowances and benefits for people aged 50 and over across County Durham.
The Information & Advice team at Age UK County Durham calculated that, between April 2024
and March 2025, its work has secured £8,001,860 in benefits which people did not realise they were
entitled to. These have included unclaimed attendance allowance, personal independence
payments, pension credit, housing benefit and council tax reductions. 93% of clients who provided
feedback to the charity confirmed that their financial position had improved with their help.
Sharon Vasey, manager of the Information & Advice Team at Age UK County Durham, explained:
“We help our clients claim what they are entitled to, so that they can live their lives independently
and without worry.
“Our Information & Advice team is here to provide those aged 50 and over with any advice and
support required. Calls to our team increased when the winter fuel payments were stopped, but
we’ve worked with those people, and where we’ve discovered unclaimed benefits we’ve helped
them make the relevant claims. The extra money goes a long way, and has obviously helped
alleviate people’s money worries.”
Sharon added: “Not surprisingly, we regularly hear that our service users are not really sure how
the benefit system works, so we’re really glad that they pick up the phone to us to ask for help.
When you receive compliments saying how much people’s lives have changed for the better, you
realise how vital this service is to our older generation.”
Age UK County Durham is the ‘go to’ organisation for anyone aged 50 or over living in County
Durham. Its Information & Advice has a fully trained staff who provide free and impartial advice and
information on benefit checks, disability benefits, lasting power of attorney, financial capability,
money, tax, legal topics, health, community care, housing, accommodation, transport, heating,
leisure and education. The Information & Advice team can be contacted by calling 0191 374 6367 or
emailing .
Age UK County Durham is a stand-alone registered charitable organisation, and a brand partner of
Age UK.
