Highland Council says £70m of benefits unclaimed

Highland Council says research has identified a total of £70m of unclaimed benefits in its region.

The figure includes welfare funds for families and almost £7m of unclaimed pension credits, which is extra money for pensioners to bring their weekly income up to a minimum amount.

The local authority said 3,000 people had not taken up credits they were entitled to.

It has proposed setting up a commission to help get the money to those who need it and investigate other ways of tackling poverty in the Highlands.

A meeting of the full council next week has been asked to approve £300,000 to set up the commission.

Convener Bill Lobban said it would look at how to improve early intervention and develop integrated approaches to tackling poverty and inequality.

The commission could submit its first report on the situation in December, according to a paper prepared for Thursday's meeting.

Highland Council has proposed further measures to "maximise the take-up of unclaimed welfare benefits".

These include employing six additional staff to better help people to access benefits.

In the report, council officials said: "Securing these additional sources of income for people will support their ability to live independently and well and be fully included in Highland communities."

In 2023-24, more than 26,500 Highland residents sought support from council-funded welfare services.