Tuesday September 22nd 2026
Councillor Elaine Thornton-Nicol, the leader of the SNP at the Borders Council
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A Scottish Borders pensioner couple who were struggling financially are now a whopping £1,648 better off each month – thanks to support from a local authority benefits team.
The Financial Support and Inclusion Team at Scottish Borders Council is an accredited provider offering expert welfare benefits and financial advice to residents across the region.
The team give general benefits advice, help prepare benefits appeals and represent residents at tribunals, give redundancy advice, provide training and give talks and briefings.
At a meeting of SBC’s Audit Committee on Monday, September 21, the work of the “incredible” team was lauded by the meeting’s chair Councillor Elaine Thornton-Nicol, the leader of the SNP on the council.
She said: “I referred a couple to the Financial Inclusion Team. That couple were struggling financially. They were of above pension age and it was right at the beginning of the original Pension Credit campaign.
“That couple are £412.10 per week better off than prior to the Financial Inclusion Team carrying out a financial assessment with them.
“Imagine that amount of money. That amount of money was unclaimed but they were entitled to it and they didn’t know that and if you don’t know what you are entitled to, how do you claim it?”
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