A ROADSHOW will be travelling around West Somerset throughout May to offer welfare benefits advice to Magna tenants.

The housing association's welfare benefits officer Sue Toogood will be giving talks at various locations where tenants will be able to chat with her over a cup of tea.

Since joining Magna six months ago, Sue has made more than 70 home visits and helped tenants secure over £60,000 in housing benefits.

She has also helped people claim a total of £37,000 in other welfare benefits.

But Sue, who stressed the confidentiality of her service, said she knew many people were reluctant to ask for help and as a result often missed out on benefits.

The most commonly missed benefit was the attendance allowance, which provides money for extra care, and people with seasonal work often failed to apply when their income dropped.

Sue said: "It can be a difficult subject to broach, but quite often people do not realise that a particular benefit exists or they think that, because they have some capital, they cannot apply.

"Some people have poor sight or arthritic problems, making it awkward for them to complete the application form.

"They often worry they are being a bother by asking, but I always emphasise it isn't a waste of time. I am here to help."

She said one aim of the roadshow was to meet people who worry about asking someone to make a home visit.

"They have the opportunity to have a discreet and confidential chat with me over a cup of tea.

"Even if they haven't qualified in the past, circumstances may have changed and it's always best to check it out," she aid.

The roadshow will be at Silvermead, Alcombe at 10am and St Audries Close, Stogursey, at 2pm on Tuesday; Healeys, Porlock, at 10.30am on Wednesday; Luttrell Gardens, Minehead, at 2.30pm on Thursday; and Deane Close, Stogumber, at 11am on Wednesday, May 17.

This is the first stage in the series of meetings planned. Meetings last about two or three hours and have already been held in Carhampton, Washford and Watchet.