Almost 200,000 Scots missing out on £346m in benefits, charity warns

Almost 200,000 pensioners in Scotland are missing out on benefits worth some £346 million a year, charity campaigners have claimed.

Research from Independent Age found pensioners are missing out on an average of £2,199 a year in social security payments.

If take-up of the benefits was increased to 100%, the charity said that 30,000 older people could be lifted out of poverty.

In addition, health and care services would save an estimated £90 million, as improved incomes would see more older Scots able to afford essentials such as heating and eating, therefore needing less help with health problems.

The research found that older Scots are failing to claim £346 million of benefits – including £143 million of Pension Credit, £139 of Housing Benefit and £64 million in council tax reduction.

Now the charity is calling for action from ministers at Holyrood and Westminster to boost take-up of the payments.

It wants the Scottish Government to ensure its upcoming Benefit Take-up Strategy includes actions to boost the number of older Scots claiming benefits, while the UK Government is being urged to publish a strategy for the UK, with a “strong commitment” to increase take-up rates and targets to achieve it.

Debbie Horne, Scotland policy and public affairs manager for Independent Age, said: “In a fair society, all of us should be able to live well as we age. Key to this is an accessible social security system.

“However, it’s clear that the current system is failing too many older people. With millions not reaching those it’s designed for, we need change.

“From the stress caused by not knowing if you can pay your rent, to not being able to turn on the heating in the winter, we know that poverty in later life can have a serious impact on health and wellbeing.

“That’s why it’s essential that everyone receives the support they’re entitled to.

“Full take-up of means-tested, social security payments for older people would pull huge numbers out of poverty, and boost the income of thousands of pensioners in Scotland.

“It is logical that Governments across the UK do more to ensure people on a low income in later life receive everything they are eligible for and need.”

A UK Government spokesperson said: “Supporting pensioners is a top priority, and thanks to our commitment to the triple lock, millions will see their yearly state pension rise by £2,100 this Parliament.

“The Government wants all pensioners to get the support they are rightly entitled to and, thanks to our biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign, an additional 33,500 pension credit awards were made in 2025 compared with the previous year, worth an average of £87 a week, helping more pensioners access the support they are entitled to.”

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland are committed to ensuring people access the financial support they are entitled to.

“A range of communications and engagement channels are used to make people aware of the benefits they may be eligible for, including advertising, media relations, social media, outreach and stakeholder engagement,” Ms Somerville said.

“We would also call on the UK Government to ensure they are also taking appropriate action to make people aware of all the benefits they should be claiming.”

She continued: “Tackling poverty is a priority for us and that is why we are delivering the strongest package of cost of living measures for low income families anywhere in the UK. This year, we will allocate around £3.5 billion to help reduce pressures on household budgets. All these efforts are underpinned by a social security system based on dignity, fairness and respect.”