The UK Government has "heartlessly" rejected a request by Renfrewshire councillors to keep the £20-a-week uplift to Universal Credit in place.
Westminster implemented the boost last March in response to the coronavirus crisis, but it is set to be pulled at the end of September.
PAISLEY DAILY EXPRESS: Live news as it happens
Earlier this year, elected members unanimously agreed to write to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging them to make the uplift permanent and extend it to those on legacy benefits.
But MP Will Quince, minister for welfare delivery, replied on behalf of the government this week to say they would still be binning it in less than three months and would not be rolling it out any further in the meantime.
Kenny MacLaren, who led council calls for the uplift to remain, branded the response as "shocking".
The Paisley Northwest councillor said: “This is a shocking and heartless reply from an MP who treats people on benefits with such disdain.
"Along with the rest of the crooked Tory cabinet, he is not interested in those who are suffering most from Tory policies.
“There are no words harsh enough - that can be printed - to express my contempt for this government.”
Universal Credit was designed to replace a number of legacy benefits such as child tax credit, income support and jobseeker's allowance.
But when Mr Sunak introduced the £20 uplift last year, this was not awarded to legacy benefit claimants, who were instead encouraged to move onto Universal Credit.
Mr Quince told councillors in his letter those on legacy benefits would lose them if they applied for Universal Credit and there was "real potential" they could end up with less income.
Councillor Natalie Don, who is also Renfrewshire North and West's MSP, insisted claimants deserved better and promised to fight for those facing poverty.
"I was delighted when the whole chamber of Renfrewshire Council backed this motion, " Miss Don added.
"Even the Tories recognised how important this additional funding was to those on benefits.
“The response from the minister is shocking. He’s even telling those on legacy benefits to risk these by applying for Universal Credit and won’t let them know if they will be better off or not.
“It’s the total disregard politicians like Mr Quince and his like have that has driven me into politics, to make a difference for some of the most vulnerable in society. They deserve better.
“I am pleased to be the Depute Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s social justice and social security committee and will do everything I can in this role to ensure that the poorest in our society are not forgotten about.”
