That the Parliament welcomes Scottish Borders Council’s recent launch of a "take-up" campaign aimed at older people living in the region to ensure that they are receiving all the financial support and benefits that they are entitled to; understands that this includes Pension Credit, with the latest annual Department for Work and Pensions figures showing that around two in five (39%) pensioner households that are entitled to receive it are not claiming it, with unclaimed Pension Credit for the Scottish Borders reportedly estimated to be worth £3,667,060; notes that, if you are entitled to Pension Credit, you may also get other help, such as housing benefit, cost of living payments, council tax reduction, a free TV licence for those aged 75 and over, and, in some cases, help with heating your home, including replacement boilers; encourages everyone to check that they are receiving all the support that they are due using their local authority's financial inclusion team, which in the Scottish Borders can be done by calling 0300 100 1800, or support services such as Citizens Advice Scotland, and believes that continued efforts to raise awareness of entitlement and support to make claims is vital to ensure people are properly supported.
Supported by:
Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Sharon Dowey, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Emma Harper, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Ruth Maguire, John Mason, Roz McCall, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Colin Smyth, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Evelyn Tweed, Sue Webber, Tess White