THE Pension Service officially launched its pensions surgeries at Kirkby Stephen Community and Council Centre.

The Pension Service local service manager for Cumbria and Lancashire Dave Orrell said: "Our aim is to get rid of pensioner poverty. There is £5 billion nationally of benefits for the elderly which are not claimed.

"Our aim is to provide a dedicated service to pensioners and get this unclaimed money into pensioners' pockets."

He continued: "Our team of partner liaison managers can give help and advice on a whole range of issues, including private and state pensions, minimum income allowance, attendance allowance and much more.

"They will be able to explain more about the Pensioners Credit which will be launched in October this year."

Three partner liaison managers will be working from Kirkby Stephen Community and Council Centre: Jackie Pears, Sheila Gibson and Judith Wilkinson. The surgeries, which are aimed at the over 60s, will be held from 1.30pm until 3pm on the first Monday of every month.

The Pension Service is part of the Department for Work and Pensions, and the new surgeries will mean older people in Kirkby Stephen will not have to take the 27-mile trip to their nearest Social Security office in Penrith for advice.

The Pension Service local service delivery manager Aureole Charteris-Hough told the Messenger: "As well as the surgeries at the Community and Council Centre, we can also offer a full visiting service. We have seven visiting officers who are working in the area."

The Pension Service can help with the completion of benefit forms as well as provide specialist advice and information on all pensioner benefits.

The next pensions surgery will be held at Kirkby Stephen Community and Council Centre on May 5.

April 9, 2003 09:30