Pensioners fail to take the credit
13 Dec 05
Means test blamed as thousands miss out on extra payments
Around 20% of Scots OAPs entitled to pension credit are failing to claim, according to Department of Work and Pensions figures.
Only around 281,000 of the 350,000 Scottish households entitled to the additional benefit claimed it in the quarter ending in September, despite a publicity campaign.
A Liberal Democrat spokesman blamed the lack of takeup on the means testing of the benefit. But minister Stephen Timms said that over £10 billion had been paid out through the benefit, which he described as a major tool in tackling pensioner poverty.