PENSIONERS in Kent may be missing out on as much as £10million to help cushion the impact of council-tax bills.

Kent County Council has revealed that a drive to encourage more pensioners to claim for rebates has helped 870 individuals with their bills this year – but say many more may still be losing out.

Finance chiefs insist that a joint campaign with district councils, partly sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions, to promote pensioners’ benefits has been a success. But they estimate as much as £10million may still be unclaimed.

In total, across Kent 877 claims were made, leading to rebates worth £476,000.

The largest number of claims was made in Canterbury where 121 claimants together qualified for £61,432. This was followed by Shepway, where 116 pensioners claimed £65,858.

But elsewhere, the number of claims was more modest. Just 18 pensioners in Sevenoaks applied for rebates worth £13,500 while 30 in Tunbridge Wells qualified for £15,468.

Of the 870 claims, three quarters came from those who had not claimed all they were able to.

Cllr Nick Chard (Con), KCC cabinet member for finance, said: “It can be very difficult to get people to claim what they are entitled to. I agree that £10million is an enormous figure but I am delighted we’ve helped 870 people although I would prefer it if every single person who could claim, did.”

KCC is to continue its publicity drive next year under the Kent Benefits Partnership.

Information on the scheme and advice is available on 0845 3450310 or by visiting www.kent.gov.uk or writing to: KBP, Contact Centre, Invicta House, Maidstone ME14 1XX.