Listen
Benefit checks reap rewards for pensioners
31/12/2008
Scottish pensioners have now made more than £1.8 million from free benefits checks since April 2007, it was announced today.
Since April this year a further £801,456 has been generated for almost 700 people, many of whom will have received increased Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance or a full Council Tax rebate.
Every pensioner who applies to the central heating programme (CHP) has the option of getting a free benefits check from the Pension Service.
The average claim breaks down to £1,351 additional income per household helped since January 2007.
Meanwhile the number of central heating systems installed between April and November are up ten per cent on the same time last year - 9,077 compared to 8,258.
Scottish Gas, which manages the CHP, has launched a nationwide marketing drive to increase the number of people applying to get a central heating system this financial year.
Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell said:
"In these challenging economic times this government is committed to making sure households have as much help as possible.
"By applying for the central heating programme, pensioners can ensure they receive all the benefits they are entitled to. I would urge anyone who believes they may be eligible to come forward as soon as possible.
"We have invested an extra 10 million pounds in the CHP this year, providing valuable assistance to the most vulnerable sections of society classed as fuel poor.
"Meanwhile we are continuing to help families and businesses through the Scottish Economic Recovery plan, which builds on the steps we have already taken to support the Scottish economy."
On December 9, 2008 Comminities Minister Stewart Maxwell announced Free benefits checks have banked £1 million for over 700 Scottish pensioners.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon announced an extra £10 million to be invested in the Central Heating Programme this year to help even more of Scotland's fuel poor on October 18, 2008.
As part of the announcement the priority group was extended to include:
- Those who never had a central heating system
- Those who have a system which is broken beyond repair and are aged between 60-74 and in receipt of the guarantee element of Pension Credit or are aged 75 or over
- Those who have partial or inefficient system and are in receipt of the guarantee element of Pension Credit or are aged 80 or over
The Scottish Government's Central Heating Programme delivered a record 14,371 central heating systems in 2007-08. Scottish Gas delivered 14,203 and local authorities delivered a further 168 systems, in total the highest number ever delivered to private homes by the programme.