HUNDREDS of pensioners could be missing out on council tax benefit across the region.

Whether they are homeowners or pay rent, older people should find out if they are eligible to claim.

With rising fuel and food costs, this age group is often the hardest hit by the impact of the recession.

But with help from council advice teams, the over 60s could have one less bill to worry about.

To raise awareness, a series of events are being held across Hull and the East Riding to offer advice on how older people can save money on their council tax.

According to Age Concern, up to 2.1 million pensioner households are missing out on council tax benefit, which could cut their council tax bill by an average of £690 a year.

Many may be simply unaware they are entitled to council tax or housing benefit, and a range of other benefits and grants.

It is advice worth listening to. Since the council's benefit and money advice team was set up in 2005, 4,000 pensioners in the East Riding have saved more than £5m between them.

In Hull, more than 1,000 residents have generated an extra £2m income since 2006, as a result of a partnership between Hull City Council's benefits service and the Government's pension service.

As part of the Mail's Bounce Back campaign, we are highlighting ways in which you can save money, to help the region through the recession.

Gordon Wiley, 75, of Driffield, contacted the East Riding Council advice team and an adviser visited his home.

He was surprised to discover he was entitled to council tax benefit and housing benefit.

The former transport manager said: "I've worked all my life until very recently and have never claimed any benefits, so I wasn't sure what I was entitled to.

"The adviser was very helpful and spent a couple of hours going through it all with me.

"I found out that now I'm retired, I can get a percentage knocked off my rent."

Elaine Whittaker, of East Riding Council's benefit money advice service team, said many older people are not aware of what they are entitled to.

She said: "Many people are not sure wether they can receive these benefits.

"Furthermore, the forms are often long and complicated and we are here to help them complete them and get them the help they are entitled to.

"Even if they are not entitled to council tax we can refer them to other services to assess wether they can claim pension credits, disability living allowance or attendance allowance for example.

"These advice sessions are aimed at raising awareness and making sure pensioners are not missing out."