THOUSANDS of people across North Yorkshire could be missing out on money that is rightfully theirs.

Many older people are thought to be failing to take up their entitlement to council tax benefits.

And with the latest bills about to land on doormats, they are being urged to check on their entitlement, then claim it.

Statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions show that only four in ten older people entitled to claim council tax benefit, actually take it up. Six in ten homeowners also miss out.

"It is important that people know that there is financial help to pay these bills for thousands of older people in North Yorkshire," said the county's champion for older people, Shelagh Marshall.

"I have often been asked why people don't claim what they are entitled to. I know that many really don't believe they would qualify, and others simply can't be bothered with the form-filling.

"But a great deal has been done in the past year or so to reduce the number and length of forms, and there is much more help available for filling them in."

Recent changes to the benefit system, such as the introduction of pension credit and the more generous criteria for assessing means-tested benefits, mean that people may qualify this year, even if they have not in previous years.

Organisations offering advice on council tax benefit include: Hambleton Citizens' Advice Bureau on 08451 228689; Age Concern on (01609) 771624; Hambleton District Council on (01609) 767168; and the national Pension Credit Application line, 0800 991234.

Alternatively, call North Yorkshire County Council on (01609) 883011 for a list of all relevant North Yorkshire telephone numbers.