WIREDGOV

Free benefits checks have banked £1 million for Scottish pensioners, Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell announced today.

Since 2007, over 700 pensioners have boosted their weekly incomes after applying for a central heating system and having their details passed to the Pension Service, as part of a free benefits check.

Many of the pensioners have received increased Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance and in many cases, a full Council Tax rebate.

An extra £10 million will be invested in the Scottish Government's Central Heating Programme this year to install more than 14,000 central heating systems.

Scottish Gas has also launched a nationwide marketing drive to increase the number of applicants to the Programme.

Mr Maxwell said:

"At a time when fuel, food and other domestic bills are rising sharply, we want to do all we can to increase pensioners incomes so they have extra money in their pockets.

"I would urge Scottish pensioners to apply for the Central Heating Programme. In doing so it will kick start a process that ensures older people don't miss out on benefits that they are eligible to claim from the state.

"We have a moral duty to help our older people many of whom do not realise that they are entitled to extra cash."

Over 700 pensioners have received benefits totalling just over £1 million between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008.

£45.9 million is allocated for fuel poverty programmes for 2008-2009.

On October 18 the 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.

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.

Related Information

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/access/FP/CHP