Interview: Ann Ferguson

Published on Monday 6 October 2008 21:44

The head of public affairs for Age Concern Scotland responds to yesterday's report that hundreds of millions of pounds are left unclaimed by pensioners in Scotland every year.

Why is this issue important?

About a third of pensioners are not claiming the benefits they are entitled to. The impact on these pensioners is significant – there is evidence that older people are cutting back on essentials like heating and food because they feel they cannot afford the bills.

What can pensioners do about it?

They should get a benefits check and get help with filling in the forms.

A lot of the time they try to work things out for themselves, and this is the worst option. They should go to the experts – rights officers, Citizens Advice Bureau and so on. It doesn't have to be difficult.

Is there anything else that the government could be doing to help?

The government should start trying to make the whole system easier. At the moment, pensioners have to fill in a different form for each different benefit. They find out they are not entitled to one benefit and think that applies to them all. What we need is a much easier way into the benefit system, where information is gathered, then the system decides what benefits they are entitled to.

Do you believe the situation is going to get better?

I believe it can get better, if we provide more and better information about the benefits people are entitled to, but the system has to become easier and simpler, too.

How do you think the media handled the story?

I think the media are helping to highlight this issue. Older people get information from the media, primarily from newspapers, and the more this is highlighted in the media, the more older people will see it and more will claim. The media have got a role, an important role, in highlighting this issue and are probably more effective than any other.