PEOPLE in Darlington could be missing out on at least £25,000 in benefits.

Residents may be paying too much council tax or rent and not receiving their full entitlement of tax credits.

The findings, which show thousands of pounds of unclaimed benefits, came after Darlington Borough Council launched a benefits awareness campaign in January.

About 12,000 local residents were contacted by the council with advice on how to check their benefit entitlement, and £25,000 was found in unclaimed benefits.

But a council spokesman said that the figure could increase as more people come forward with claims. "That's how much we have identified so far - so in other words, there could be that much again."

It is mainly pensioners or retired people on benefits who are likely to be losing out. Elderly people who qualify for help with council tax and rent could have their claim backdated by up to a year.

One couple who recently contacted the council could be about £150 a week better off through pension benefit, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

But hundreds of other people who claim benefits could also be affected.

Bill Dixon, the council's cabinet member for community and public protection, said: "The council is working hard to ensure local people are made aware of, and claim, benefits they are entitled to. Over 700 people have already contacted the council and around £25,000 of unclaimed benefits have been identified for local people."

Information about benefit entitlement will be included in council tax statements which will be issued to residents later this month.

The council also offers a visiting service for inquiries or for help in claiming benefit. For more details, contact the council's housing benefits team on (01325) 388045.