A new scheme to improve the up-take of benefits among older people has been launched by Age Concern Scotland.

More than £4.5bn worth of benefits is currently lying unclaimed in Britain, according to the charity.

The project, funded by the Scottish Government and the Department of Work and Pensions, will be piloted in Glasgow's East End and Aberdeenshire.

Local older people organisations will be involved in providing free benefit checks and help with form filling.

David Manion, chief executive for Age Concern Scotland, said many older people were missing out.   We want them to claim all of the benefits they're entitled to - just a few pounds can make all the difference

Mike O'Brien
UK Pensions Minister 

"They are unaware they are entitled to extra cash, don't know how to claim, or feel there is a stigma attached and would rather 'make do'," he said.

Launching the pilot, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "In these days of ever increasing fuel, food and other domestic bills, we must take action to ensure that older people don't miss out on what they are eligible to claim from the state."

UK Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien said pensioners were feeling the affect of price rises in their heating bills and at the supermarket.

"We want them to claim all of the benefits they're entitled to - just a few pounds can make all the difference," he said.

He added that the process for claiming pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit was to be simplified, and if people claimed before 6 October they may be eligible for one year's backdated money.