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Case studies Retirement boost for surfing Grandad A grandad from Cornwall is making the most of his retirement, thanks to a government website and a little help from UK online centre Looe Enterprise. Pensioner Frank Brooks, 63, from Looe, had no idea he was eligible for further benefits until he looked them up on the internet. Now he's a regular e-government customer, and he can't sing its praises enough. Frank says: "Everyone I meet I tell to get themselves online and get on this government website, because it's one of the best things I ever did. It's amazing how much information is on there, and how much easier it is to find out things once you've got the hang of it. "When I first thought about checking-up on my pension, I went into the Post Office. But I couldn't get the information I wanted from those forms, and I couldn't get any help in understanding all that jargon. "I'd been going into Looe Enterprise UK online centre for some time to get to grips with computers, mostly so I could keep up with my granddaughter Becky, who's nine and already a bit of a computer-whiz. They suggested one day I should try this internet site - direct.gov - and helped me find the bits and bobs I needed. It was brilliant! "Everything I was looking for was right there - and the information I found is already making a difference. For example, I'm diabetic, and I have to make regular trips to the hospital. I was paying a lot for the petrol and the parking, and it's surprising how it all adds up. One of the things I found out was that I was entitled to tax credits to cover the cost, which has been a great relief. "It was really good to have the centre staff around to ask if I couldn't find or didn't understand something, and they couldn't have been more helpful. Without being pointed in the right direction, I wouldn't even have known the website existed, and I might never have found out I was entitled to more than I was getting. Money isn't everything, but there's no point in pretending it doesn't make life easier! "I've been really pleased with the advice I got from the pensions site, and now I'm a real convert to e-government. I'm even planning to get the internet at home so I can keep looking things up when I want to. "A few years ago I'd never even touched a computer. The Looe Enterprise UK online centre took me on as a complete beginner and showed me how it all works. E-government is just my latest discovery! I'm currently doing a course on databases, and come into the centre a couple of times a week. I like learning new things and there's a great atmosphere - everyone is really friendly. It gets me out of the house and keeps me out of trouble! "I'm looking forward to finding out what else technology can do for me, and I just can't understand why other people aren't doing the same. There's so much information out there, on the things people need to know and do anyway - like getting a TV licence. Why not go into a local UK online centre and get help to do it online? If I can do it, anyone can."
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