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By The Basa ⋅ November 1, 2005 ⋅

Get this sorted out:

A QUARTER of pensioners in Edinburgh are failing to claim benefits to which they are entitled under the controversial pension credit scheme, according to figures released today.

Complex forms and an unwillingness to claim means-tested benefits are being blamed for just under 7000 older people in the Capital failing to make claims.

That means pensioners in the city are missing out on an estimated £1.2 million every month.

Some pensioners are said to be too proud to claim the extra payments - worth up to around £45-a-week each - while others are thought to be too frightened to divulge meagre savings or unable to fill in complex forms. Calls were made today for the pension credit system to be abolished in favour of a single pension that is linked to average earnings.

The Department for Work and Pensions figures were sourced by Edinburgh West MP John Barrett, who is campaigning for a fairer state pension system. The Liberal Democrat politician said: “It is a scandal that so many poorer older people are missing out.”

Pensioners over the age of 60 can claim up to an average of £45.44 a week on top of their pensions. Single people who live on less than £109.45 a week and couples on less than £167.05 can apply. The Citizens Advice Bureau said many pensioners do not apply for the money because they have to telephone a call centre and have to pay the money into a Post Office account.

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Taken from: Quarter of Edinburgh OAPs failing to claim benefits