A pensioner left struggling to pay his rent has called the reduction of local housing benefits a ‘disgrace’.
Gordon Wood, of Duke Lane in Fraserburgh, said he was worried about the plight of other pensioners after struggling with his own finances.
He fears some people may even have to move home as a result of struggles with payments for private rented accommodation.
Local housing benefit rates for a one bedroom property in the AB10 to AB54 postcode area have decreased from £127 per week in 2016 to £105 a week in 2018 – a reduction of £92 a month.
That difference was enough to cause Mr Wood difficulty affording his rent despite having liaised with local housing officers before moving house in 2016.
To cover the difference, the 68-year-old applied for a discretionary payment but has been told he will only receive half of money he requires to cover the rent shortfall.
Mr Wood, a retired social worker, said: “I’m fortunate because I can just about cope but the average person who is older could well need to move as they can’t pay the difference.
“It’s a societal disgrace. The discretionary payments are means tested and you have to apply each year but I’m older and worry it will be a struggle to apply next year.
“How can you have to take your pension to pay rent when that small amount is what you have to live off?
“It’s unfair that we need to make economies and buy reduced food merely to be able to afford rent.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokeswoman said there was an issue with the money being made available by rent officers, who fall under the Scottish Government’s jurisdiction.
She said “This year there has been a marked decrease in the level of local housing allowance set by the rent officer which has led to increased applications for discretionary housing payments.
“This allows the local authority to make an award to help ease the shortfall however it is a limited fund and only limited awards can be made.”
Mr Wood has brought his concerns to the attention of local politicians.
David Duguid, Scottish Conservative MP for Banff and Buchan, said: “We have been in correspondence with this constituent for some time and have been working to assist him through the process.
“We have contacted Aberdeenshire council on his behalf and will continue to keep Mr Wood informed of any developments.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Housing Benefit is the responsibility of the UK Government, but is administered by local authorities.
“However, we provide funding to every council to ensure Discretionary Housing Payments are available to protect low income families and households across Scotland which are affected by the UK Government’s bedroom tax and other welfare cuts.”