Greater Manchester Pension Top Up campaign 2022 - free online training open for booking

Greater Manchester Combined Authority logo
Published date: 
Monday, 6th June 2022

Booking is now open for the free online training from Independent Age free to support the Greater Manchester Pension Top Up campaign. There are 15 places available on session. If there is demand, additional sessions will be added.

An introductory overview of Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance - online course via Teams to support the GM Pension Top Up campaign.

  • Thursday 16 June,10am - 11am
  • Monday 20 June, 2pm - 3pm
  • Wednesday 29 June, 12pm – 1pm

Booking: Independent Age - Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance overview Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite  

About this event

This one hour, online course aims to give you an introductory overview of Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance, two key income top ups that can be life changing for people over state pension age (currently 66). They will also be demonstrating how to use the online benefits calculator Entitled to Benefit.

  • By the end of the session you should be able to:
  • Explain what Pension Credit is, who may be eligible and how to claim
  • Explain what Attendance Allowance is, who may be eligible and how to claim
  • Use the online benefits calculator to help someone see if they may be missing out on benefits
  • Have some strategies for starting the conversation about claiming benefits with people that you work with
  • Know when to ask for or signpost to specialist advice

About the facilitators:

Alicia Harries is the Advice Manager at Independent Age, a charity providing advice and support to older people. Alicia has an extensive background in advice including several years with Citizens Advice. Alicia leads the team of Welfare Benefit Advisers at Independent Age.

Fran McSweeney is Head of National Services at Independent Age. Fran has worked in Information and Advice her whole career, including Citizens Advice, Shelter and RNIB.

Reminder – locality mapping spreadsheet

Just a reminder that they have produced a mapping spreadsheet which lists all the resources on offer with a sheet covering each of the 10 GM localities. To understand how and when each locality will be promoting the Pension Top Up campaign (or other benefit take up activity aimed at older people), they are asking partner organisations to fill in the mapping spreadsheet to the best of your ability. They recognise that you are all working to different timescales so they are not setting a deadline for filling in the spreadsheet, but please can you email Jo.Garsden@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk or julie.ralph@boltonathome.org.uk when your organisation has completed its entry.

The spreadsheet also aims to facilitate conversations across localities, for examples between housing providers (who may have their own money advice service and wish to go ahead earlier with campaign activity), and local councils to avoid duplication. They would encourage you to get in touch with partner organisations in your area to share your plans.

https://boltonathome-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/julie_ralph_boltonathome_org_uk/ErPj9qTmqyhJqRwpkeg-QccBgvCzO65m409ELIxQ0U2lIg?e=mMXthG