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Thousands of Scottish retirees cannot benefit from social benefits in Glasgow

Harry November 6, 2024

More than 12,000 Glaswegian pensioners are missing out on a benefit that would have earned them more money.

More than 12,500 people who have reached retirement age are eligible for retirement credits but are not receiving them, according to the city council treasurer.

Councilor Ricky Bell revealed the figures at a council meeting last week after Conservative councilor Thomas Kerr asked what the council was doing to ensure vulnerable Glaswegian pensioners signed up for Pension Credit.

SNP councilor Bell said: “Glasgow has been running a project to tackle pensioner poverty since 2022 and the project will involve the team contacting pensioners in the city to make sure they get all the benefits they are entitled to.

“As of September 2024, this project has put almost £7 million into the pockets of the 1,319 residents helped so far.

“Most people receive more than one benefit and the total number of benefits made is 2,863 and the average amount of money this project has made for people in the city is £5,000.”

Pension Credit is a government payment that can top up people’s pension and is available to those surviving on a low weekly income.

Councilor Bell said he estimated a cut in winter fuel payments would affect three-quarters of retirees in the city of 60,000 people.

He added: “We also know that more than 12,500 pensioners in Glasgow are eligible for pension credit but are currently unable to receive it.”

He told the meeting how the council was working with its partners to ensure residents could get pension credit before the winter fuel payment ends.

The Health and Social Care Partnership Welfare Rights Team, Gain and social landlords are helping people make claims. Universal credit centers in libraries are also included in this process.

Councilor Bell said he hoped “combined actions will enable us to reach as many as 12,000 eligible retirees possible.”

He called on other council members to join in, asking them to direct people to city projects that support retirees.