RESIDENTS are being urged to check how much housing and council tax benefit they are entitled to.

Research suggests many people are unaware they could qualify for benefits.

In 2004, the Kent Benefits Partnership was set up after it was estimated 30,000 pensioners in the county may have paid too much council tax.

More than 3,000 people have had their benefit claims increased since the partnership was launched.

The group has stressed it is simple to find out about benefit entitlement and members will even visit homes to assess claims.

Call the partnership on 0845 345 0310 or Sevenoaks District Council's benefits department on 01732 227000.