MORE than half a million people in Scotland are due benefits they’re not claiming.
The Scottish Government have teamed up with Citizens Advice and children and pensioners groups in a bid to make sure hard up Scots are getting what they’re due.
Social security minister Jeane Freeman launched the campaign, and urged people who thought they might be eligible for tax credits or other benefits such as Sure Start Maternity Grant, Carers Allowance and the Funeral Expenses Payment, to come forward.
It is estimated that, in 2014/15, for tax credits and the main income-related benefits, there could be over 500,000 cases of individuals or families in Scotland not claiming benefits they were entitled to.
Freeman said: “Claiming the benefits that people are entitled to will help maximise family incomes and can reduce poverty levels. For example, around a third of pensioners are entitled to Pension Credit but do not claim it. We want to help people to know what financial support is available that could make a difference to their lives.
“We also know that personal circumstances can change very quickly – whether it’s losing a job, a family bereavement, becoming a carer for a family member, or having a child.
“The evidence tells us that often many of us don’t realise that changes in our lives can mean we are entitled to additional support and that there is a range of benefits all of us are entitled to know about.”
Citizens Advice Scotland spokesperson Keith Dryburgh, said: “Many of the cases dealt with by the CAB service are people not claiming benefits which they are entitled to, and which could help them financially. Changes in circumstances, such as the birth of a child or an illness, can often change people’s entitlements so it’s important that people know this and access the support available.
“The benefits system is complex, and people don’t always know what they can apply for or how to go about doing it. The CAB service can do a benefits check, to see that they are getting all the help they are entitled to. It’s amazing how many times we find that they are in fact missing out on some money because they didn’t know about it. This can be just a few pounds a week, or it could be much more than that.”
Satwat Rehman, director of One Parent Families Scotland, said: “Social security is an investment in everybody and is there to help when you need it. Lack of knowledge, complexity and stigma all impede families taking up their full benefit entitlement.
“Recent figures show, for example, that one in five eligible families do not receive child tax credit or housing benefit, while more than two out of every five eligible persons do not claim working tax credits. Having advice and advocacy support, to help people access what they are entitled to, is vital in stopping families falling through the safety net.”
Keith Robson, Age Scotland chief executive said: “It is vital people recognise the system is there for anybody who needs it, and that this is support to which people are entitled.”
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