Pensioners ‘could miss out on help with energy bills’

Lothian pensioners are urged to check their benefits to make sure they are not missing out on key support.

The Scottish Government has launched a hotline offering advice on energy benefits, which has already been used by tens of thousands of people across the country.

By fully exploring options for financial help, pensioners struggling to pay gas and electricity bills can receive payouts upward of £1000.

Housing minister Keith Brown said: “Many people fail to claim for what they are entitled because they don’t know it’s there.

“We all have a job to do to make sure that older people across our communities know that there are services available to help maximise their income.

“We want to help ensure more money stays in our pensioners’ pockets by securing the best deals from the energy companies.”