Support for Somerset families and older people

Age UK Somerset

With support from the Household Support Fund, offers the following services for people over 60:

• Free eligibility checks for benefits and, if eligible, volunteer support to help complete benefit claim forms. (Last year, this brought an additional £5m into the local economy through claimed benefits)

• A free information and advice service, accessible by phone, email, or in person via appointments at their Taunton office. The service covers a wide range of topics, including support with care, finances, activities in your local area, and guidance on accessing help from other organisations.

• A free Chat and Map service, offering a one-stop-shop approach to resolving issues that may affect an older person’s quality of life. The service treats everyone as individuals and includes a home visit by a member of staff. Through a friendly chat, they will explore what challenges might be impacting daily life, such as rising bills, feelings of isolation, or difficulties coping at home.

• Whatever the issues, we will work hard to find solutions. These may involve connecting the client with other Age UK Somerset services, making referrals to external organisations, or providing tangible goods.

• A free wellbeing service to help reduce loneliness and isolation, especially during the darker months. This includes the company of a friendly volunteer through programmes such as Telephone Friendship, Walk and Talk, or Wellbeing Friends.

Concessionary bus passes

See our Apply for a concessionary bus pass page.

Pension Credit

If you are over State Pension age and on a low income, you might be able to get extra money through Pension Credit. Apply online at GOV.UK or phone 0800 99 1234.