Age Scotland uncovers half a million pounds in unclaimed benefits for older people

Age Scotland identified £564,494 in benefits that were not claimed by older people who called the charity’s helpline last year.

The figure was revealed in Age Scotland’s annual Impact Report for 2021 from data collected by the organisation’s helpline.

Scotland’s national charity for older people said the amount was the ‘tip of the iceberg’ and estimated that millions of pounds are still going unclaimed by older people across the country.

The money identified was driven, in part, by Age Scotland’s Check In, Cash Out campaign which launched in 2021 to raise awareness of what benefits are available and ensure that older people don’t miss out on vital financial support.

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland’s chief executive, said:

“For many older people in Scotland, claiming the benefits they are entitled to can be the difference between heating their home in winter or not. We know there are at least 150,000 pensioners in Scotland living in relative poverty and that figure will surely rise unless older people are given the opportunity to claim money that is rightfully theirs.

“The unclaimed benefits uncovered during checks by our helpline advisors last year is very welcome but we believe it is just the tip of the iceberg. There are potentially millions of pounds of benefits going unclaimed because older people don’t know what they are entitled to and because the system of claiming is complex to navigate.

“Our Check In, Cash Out campaign got off to a flying start by raising awareness of benefit entitlements and encouraging older people to call our helpline for a free benefits check. We want to build on that by letting more older people know our helpline advisors are here to give expert advice that can make a huge difference to an older person’s life.”

Among the range of benefits not being claimed were attendance allowance, housing benefit and carers allowance.

Free benefits checks are available to anyone over the age of 50 by calling Age Scotland’s helpline on 0800 12 44 222.