You could be able to get free help to claim state pension age benefits worth thousands
Pensioners may be able to claim extra support such as Attendance Allowance or Pension Credit
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More than one million pensioners and those supporting them are able to get free support on claiming state pension age benefits.
Free workshops, which aim to raise awareness about some of the common benefits which support older people, are taking place over the coming weeks.
The events from Age Scotland may be helpful to pensioners who live in Scotland.
They cover the main rules, how to make a claim, as well as what to do if “something goes wrong”, the charity said.
The training sessions are available for free to older people and those who support them across Scotland
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One session took place this week, and the following dates are:
- Wednesday, September 27: 11am - 12.30pm
- Monday, October 9: 2pm - 3.30pm
- Tuesday, October 17: 2pm - 3.30pm
- Monday, October 30: 11am - 12.30pm
Age Scotland’s interim CEO Katherine Crawford, recently told GB News: “Too often, important sources of financial support such as Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction, and Attendance Allowance go vastly underclaimed when they could be making a real difference to the lives of older people on low incomes.
“It’s so important to raise awareness and encourage further uptake of this support. Our free workshops cover the most relevant social security payments for older people, as well as considering how we might break down barriers that make people reluctant to unlock their entitlements.”
Ms Crawford explained the training sessions are available for free to older people and those who support them across Scotland.
She said they aim to help them feel “better prepared when it comes to handling social security entitlements and confident that they’re not missing out on support”.
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People can sign up via Eventbrite, with the links to the sessions on the Age Scotland website.
There are about 1.07 million people of state pension age in Scotland. Around 120,000 households in Scotland are eligible for Pension Credit but not claiming it.
Pension Credit is a benefit intended for the lowest-income pensioners. It’s a top-up amount which raises their new state pension to the £201.05 a week.
Claiming Pension Credit can also open eligibility to other forms of support, such as council tax reduction, housing benefit and other financial support.
Overall, it can be worth thousands of pounds more each year.