Scottish Pensioners Miss Out On Benefits

Thousands of Scottish pensioners do not realise they are eligible for state benefits, ministers have said.

It is thought that around 177,000 Scottish pensioners are not taking up their weekly Pension Credit allowance that comes to an average of £40 a week.

Around £360 million in benefits goes unclaimed every year, it is thought.

David Manion, the Age Concern Scotland chief executive, believes many pensioners find the scheme difficult to understand.

"Pension Credit has made a massive contribution to lifting many pensioners above the poverty line, however, the system is still too complicated for many pensioners to navigate," he told the BBC.

Stephen Timms, the minister for Pension Reform, said many pensioners were unaware how easy it was to claim their allowance, which can be backdated.

"All it takes is a call to the Pension Credit application line to help ensure that you get all of the money you are entitled to, including help applying for benefits such as Pension Credit or Council Tax Benefit."

The credit scheme replaced the minimum income guarantee system in 2003 and is designed to encourage people to save more for old age.