Statement

WEIR WELCOMES NORTH DOWN TAKE UP OF LONE PENSIONER ALLOWANCE

Posted on: April 23, 2009  

“I welcome the news that more than 1500 pensioners in the North Down Borough Council area have received awards under the Lone Pensioner Allowance. This has resulted in these pensioners receiving a total of nearly £270,000 off their rates bill, and was introduced by the DUP Finance Minister last year. This excellent scheme is designed to ease the financial burden on pensioners over the age of 70 who live on their own by reducing their rates bill by 20%, providing help in many cases to the some of the most financially vulnerable people in our society. I am delighted that 1569 people in the North Down Borough has benefitted from claiming this award, which puts us well ahead of most of the rest of the Province.  

These figures were revealed as a result of a written Assembly Question that I put to the Department. There has been a traditional reluctance from many pensioners to claim the benefits to which they are entitled, often through pride, but I hope and believe that these figures show a changing attitude. The hard work of our senior citizens have built the society and prosperity that we all enjoy today, and receiving these benefits are simply people obtaining what they are entitled to as of right. I would encourage those pensioners who are not claiming their full benefits to do so as soon as possible. This is not just about social justice for the elderly, or just about meeting practical needs, but in these difficult financial times about bringing more money into the economy. The figures on North Down claimants of Lone Pensioner Allowance is an encouraging first step, but I want to ensure that no pensioner in North Down is denied anything to which they are entitled.”