Speaking On Your Behalf, Anne O’Reilly Director of Help the Aged said that not enough pensioners knew they might be entitled to it.

"There are still thousands of pensioners still living in poverty" she said.

If you or your partner are aged 60 or over, MIG can top any money you already have coming in, to a minimum level set by the Government.

DO I QUALIFY?

Are you or your partner aged 60 or over?

Are you on a low income?

Do you have no savings, or savings of £12,000 or less ( £16,000 if you live permanently in a residential care home or nursing home)?

If Yes to all, claim Minimum Income Guarantee.

HOW MUCH IS IT?

Minimum Income Guarantee tops up your income to:

£92.15 a week for a single person or/
£140.55 a week for a couple

Your MIG top - up may be higher if for example,

• you are disabled and live alone or with another disabled person
• you are a carer getting Invalid Care Allowance
• you have certain housing costs that are not covered by Housing Benefit - Housing Benefit is help towards your rent from NIHE, or help towards your rates from RCA
• you or your partner get Child Benefit for a child

HOW DO I CLAIM?

You can phone the Minimum Income Guarantee Claimline 0800 028 1111

Calls are free except from some mobile phones.

The line is open from 7am - 7pm Monday to Friday .

A member of the Claimline team will fill in the form over the phone for you. They will post the form to you so you can check and sign it.

If you have speech or hearing difficulties, the textphone number is 0800 028 3593.

You will need the following details when you phone:-

• your National Insurance Number
• information about money you have coming in
• information about your savings and investments

You can also get a claim form from your Social Security Office or soon the MIG claim form will be available on the Internet at www.ssani.gov.uk

For more information contact:

Social Security Agency - look in the phone book under Government
Age Concern - 0800 00 99 66
Citizens Advice Bureau
Seniorline - Help the Aged - 0808 800 65 65