Aberdeenshire North and Moray East MP Seamus Logan has echoed calls from the charity Independent Age for the UK Government to reduce complexities within social security payments system for pensioners.
The charity published a report this month entitled ‘Jumping Through Hoops’ to highlight how many older people of pensioner age are missing out on entitlements due to systems in place which are both confusing and hard to navigate as well as time consuming and contorted.
Benefits such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Attendance Allowance could make an enormous difference to millions of pensioners missing out on income they are eligible for due to this complexity. Independent Age are arguing that “it is time for change” and that the UK Government should develop a take-up strategy for all financial entitlements, learning from the strategy put in place by the Scottish Government for instance, including a genuine commitment to increase take-up and target take up levels for the coming years.
Commenting, Seamus Logan MP said:
“In the midst of the furore over the Labour Government’s reforms of the benefit system, the problem with pensioners not receiving their entitlements because of highly complex systems is another scandal hiding in plain sight. Independent Age talked to pensioners who found application processes long, arduous and overly difficult to understand followed by long waits to hear back on decisions relating to their applications. Others had no idea what they were entitled to, or where indeed to start to find out.
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“I applaud Independent Age for highlighting the work done by the Scottish Government to help people navigate this complex system. Humanity and dignity are at the heart of Scotland’s values on social security with a person-centred approach. This support needs rolled out across the whole of the UK, because currently, it’s almost as if the system is set up to fail.
“There is a contradiction at the heart of a UK Government who publicise their efforts to improve Pension Credit uptake, while so many pensioners are unsure what other benefits they could claim. If they can improve Pension Credit uptake, why can’t they improve the uptake of all the other vital benefits?
“If constituents are experiencing difficulties, the vital take up support available in Scotland can be accessed at their local Citizens Advice Bureau, or through contacting my office on [email protected]. I want to make sure than no pensioner in my constituency needs to jump through hoops to get their entitlements. The social security system is a safety net, not an obstacle course – the Scottish Government understand this, why can’t the UK Government.”
