With prices rising, almost everybody is feeling the pinch whatever their age, but people living on fixed pensions can find things especially hard. Thousands of pounds are unclaimed by people of pension age in the Braintree District. You could be entitled to extra allowances and benefits to make things easier and these days it's so much easier to check.

Good online information with online calculators to check your allowances and benefits are available
-  on our website here 
 - on Direct Gov website here 
- on Age Concern website here

You can get free information and advice from a number of organisations:
- Age UK 0800 169 6565
- Pensions Service 08456 060 265
- Citizens Advice Bureau 0844 4994719
- CAB Welfare Benefits Advice (Braintree and Halstead) 01376 504148
- CAB Disability Out Reach Service (will come to your home) 01787 479397
- Winter Fuel Helpline 08459 151515

Our friendly Benefit Visiting Officer, Jo Mayne,  is also available for people who need help with claiming for any benefits. She can come to your home to discuss difficulties, help complete necessary forms and give a speedy service and refer onto all necessary services you may need help with. Call her on 01376 557885 or email benefits@braintree.gov.uk

Advice for War Veterans
Veterans UK can provide advice and information to war veterans.
Call them on 0800 169 2277
British Legion also offers a wide range of services and help to you. Click here for more information.

Helping horticulturists 
The Gardeners Royal Benevolent Society provides help and support to anyone who works or has worked in the horticultural industry. Visit www.perennial.org.uk for more information.

Helping farmers
Care and support for farmers, farm workers, farm managers and their dependents. Visit www.rabi.org.uk , the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, for more information.

Pensions and retirements
Whether you're years from retirement, or it's just round the corner, the unbiased money advice, information and interactive money planners from the Money Advice Service website will help you maximise your finances in retirement. Click here for more information.

Other Benefits
If you require advice about other type of benefits you may be entitled to, please click here for more information

Did you know?
£5 billion of means tested benefits, due to older people, goes unclaimed every year.
Make sure you get the support you deserve and have earned.