The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has shared details of the number of older people in Scotland claiming Pension Credit following a written query from the SNP’s Amy Callaghan. The MP for East Dunbartonshire, asked if DWP could provide take-up data of the passport benefit which is worth £3,500 and unlocks help with housing, heating and Council Tax costs.
Pensions Minister Laura Trott responded “take-up statistics for Pension Credit are available at Great Britain level only”. However, she was able to provide a parliamentary constituency breakdown which shows there are 127,080 pensioners in Scotland receiving the benefit - the full breakdown is further down this article.
People in receipt of Pension Credit will qualify for the £900 means-tested cost of living payment and the £300 pensioner cost of living payment, which will be added to the 2023/24 Winter Fuel Payment in November/December. Pensioners claiming any disability benefits will also receive a £150 one-off payment this summer as part of the Uk Government’s £37 billion package of support, expected to help millions of people over the next financial year.
