Hundreds of older Scots are lacking out on pension credit they're legally entitled to, an SNP MP has warned.
Anne McLaughlin has written to Rishi Sunak to ask the Tory Chancellor to lift consciousness of the problem at a time many individuals are already struggling as a consequence of the price of residing disaster.
The MP for Glasgow North East mentioned those that didn't declare pension credit had been additionally extra more likely to have missed out on the £650 value of residing fee, which was introduced by the UK Authorities in April.
She has urged the chancellor to contemplate extending the deadline for making use of for the fee to March 31 subsequent yr.
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Take-up of pension credit score has been low traditionally and it's estimated that 123,000 eligible households in Scotland aren't claiming the fee.
McLaughlin mentioned: "At a time when the Tory value of residing disaster is basically hitting exhausting, it is important that persons are in receipt of all the pieces that they're entitled to.
"Particularly I'm apprehensive about our older individuals who merely can not go with out heating.
"I'm calling on the Chancellor to increase the eligibility interval to the tip of the monetary yr in order that anybody who efficiently applies by the tip of the winter, doesn’t miss out on this significant £650 fee.
"That’s crucial factor within the brief time period however in the long run I feel it will dramatically enhance the variety of individuals receiving what's, in spite of everything, their entitlement."
A spokesman for the DWP mentioned: "We recognise the pressures pensioners are dealing with and all pensioner households will obtain £300 to assist them cowl the rising value of vitality this winter, with these on Pension Credit score getting an additional £650 value of residing fee. That is along with the £150 council tax rebate and £400 low cost on their vitality payments.
"Pension Credit score take-up is now at its highest degree since 2010, and the total yearly quantity of the fundamental State Pension is now greater than £2,300 greater than it was in 2010."
Pension credit score is a means-tested profit for individuals over State Pension age designed to assist with the price of residing.
It may be claimed in case your weekly earnings is lower than £182.60 in case you are single or £278.70 for couples.
You may apply by calling the pension credit score declare line on 0800 99 1234.
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