Highland Council invests £870k to Tackle Unclaimed £70M in Benefits Highland Council invests £870k to Tackle Unclaimed £70M in Benefits

Highland Council will spend £870,000 on poverty reduction. They want locals to access £70 million in benefits, as many don’t claim what they deserve. Council leader Bremner says the complexity of the system might deter claims.

A new commission will fight Highland poverty and help people get benefits. Rural needs will also get attention. This follows a report about hard benefit claims, noting that older folks face up to 450 questions.

Internet access can pose a big problem, and mental and physical health also matter. Low literacy adds another hurdle, while shame can stop older people from asking for help. Consequently, some just give up applying.

Winter fuel payments now require pension credit, resulting in many Highland pensioners losing their fuel payments. Only 6772 got pension credit for winter, but three thousand more could get it. They just don’t claim it.

Councillor Bremner knows many lack benefit awareness. Three thousand people in Wick don’t claim credit, and that money could ease their climate challenges. People often think they must accept hardship and do not know what help exists.

This push ensures long-term access to benefits, as some folks haven’t claimed for years. The system seems to discourage claims. The council knows it needs to verify claims, but they must balance access for vulnerable groups.

The commission will target inaccessibility issues and tackle barriers like complex questions. The commission will focus on clear goals and measure their progress carefully.

Pension credit has a 65% take-up rate. About 970,000 folks miss out on money, meaning £1.5 billion goes unclaimed yearly. Housing benefit has an 83% take-up, but around 270,000 households miss out, resulting in £1.1 billion unclaimed.

Independent Age wants a government strategy that removes barriers to access and promotes local council collaboration. Two million older people live in poverty, and another million are at risk.

The UK and local councils must work together to boost pension credit and housing benefit usage. The strategy must tear down those benefit barriers. These changes should make the system easier and more accessible for older people.

Highland Council will spend £870,000 on poverty reduction. They want locals to access £70 million in benefits, as many don’t claim what they deserve. Council leader Bremner says the complexity of the system might deter claims.

A new commission will fight Highland poverty and help people get benefits. Rural needs will also get attention. This follows a report about hard benefit claims, noting that older folks face up to 450 questions.

Internet access can pose a big problem, and mental and physical health also matter. Low literacy adds another hurdle, while shame can stop older people from asking for help. Consequently, some just give up applying.

Winter fuel payments now require pension credit, resulting in many Highland pensioners losing their fuel payments. Only 6772 got pension credit for winter, but three thousand more could get it. They just don’t claim it.

Councillor Bremner knows many lack benefit awareness. Three thousand people in Wick don’t claim credit, and that money could ease their climate challenges. People often think they must accept hardship and do not know what help exists.

This push ensures long-term access to benefits, as some folks haven’t claimed for years. The system seems to discourage claims. The council knows it needs to verify claims, but they must balance access for vulnerable groups.

The commission will target inaccessibility issues and tackle barriers like complex questions. The commission will focus on clear goals and measure their progress carefully.

Pension credit has a 65% take-up rate. About 970,000 folks miss out on money, meaning £1.5 billion goes unclaimed yearly. Housing benefit has an 83% take-up, but around 270,000 households miss out, resulting in £1.1 billion unclaimed.

Independent Age wants a government strategy that removes barriers to access and promotes local council collaboration. Two million older people live in poverty, and another million are at risk.

The UK and local councils must work together to boost pension credit and housing benefit usage. The strategy must tear down those benefit barriers. These changes should make the system easier and more accessible for older people.