If you live in one of the priority areas and want to find out what this project is doing specifically in your area, please contact OPAP|, or call 0845 1400 008
The Older Persons' Advice Project aims to increase the levels of benefit take up amongst older people (age 60+) resident in the Falkirk Community Planning Partnership areas within worst 15% SIMD 2006. The aims and the objectives of the Project are:
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Increase the rate of uptake of benefits by over 60s resident in the Priority Areas through the provision of support at all stages of making a claim
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Effectively 'drain the pool' of existing under claimants within the population, reaching over 60s who have previously not been in contact with advice or income maximisation services
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Link over 60s with the full range of services within their community
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'Stop the flow' of older people into the pool of under claimants in the future
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Address fuel poverty amongst older households through income maximisation
The project is based around an intensive proactive effort to reach out to all over 60s in the priority areas, many of whom would otherwise be unlikely or reluctant to engage with income maximisation and advice services.
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Financial Allocation and Main Project Outputs
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2008/09
|
2009/10
|
2010/11
|
|
FSF allocation
|
£21,950
|
£62,113
|
£33,771
|
|
No. of successful contacts with over 60's households
|
337
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
No. of over 60s receiving home visit
|
168
|
500
|
550
|
|
Total benefit secured
|
£202,000
|
£475,000
|
£525,000
|
|
No. of signposter referrals to external agencies
|
n/a
|
130
|
140
|
Total FSF allocation £89,825
Progress 2008/09
Project Update
|
Output
|
No. of contacts with over 60s
|
No. receiving home visits
|
Total benefit secured
|
|
Annual Target
|
337
|
168
|
£202k
|
|
Progress Quarter 1
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Progress Quarter 2
|
30
|
18
|
0
|
|
Progress Quarter 3
|
88
|
66
|
£94k
|
|
Progress Quarter 4
|
148
|
81
|
£55k
|
|
Total Progress to date
|
266
|
165
|
£149k
|
|
Variance
|
-71
|
-84
|
+£53k
|
Benefit awards can take 3 months to be processed. Targets based on last year's outcomes, however Welfare Reforms have reduced the length of time backdated payments can be made for some benefits from 12 to 3 months, thus reducing income for claimants.
Progress 2009/10
Project Update
|
Output
|
No. home visits
|
Total benefit secured
|
No. signposted to external vacancies
|
|
Annual Target
|
550
|
£525k
|
140
|
|
Progress Quarter 1
|
55
|
£87K
|
20
|
|
Progress Quarter 2
|
86
|
£108K
|
31
|
|
Progress Quarter 3
|
112
|
£128K
|
24
|
To contact this project please call 0845 1400 008.