We all know how hard times are at the moment. But sadly the daily struggle is nothing new for many older people, who are used to making sacrifices for the sake of their finances. Rising utility bills, lower pension payments and a higher cost of living mean the number of pensioners and people over 65 living below the poverty line exceeded 1.9 million on 2016, and it’s been growing ever since. To put that in perspective, that’s:
- 572,600 people unable to keep their homes warm
- 286,300 people unable to pay their regular bills
- 708,800 people unable to keep their home damp-free
- 945,100 people who wouldn’t be able to replace their cooker if it broke down
- 1,299,600 people with no access to a car who can’t afford a taxi
It’s a pretty bleak picture. But what you might not know is that there are some benefits available to support older people financially, and if you’re over 65 you may be eligible for them. Here are just a few to look into.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is an income-related, tax-free benefit you can claim once you turn 65. It consists of 2 parts:
Guarantee Credit: This tops up your weekly income if it’s below £182.60, or £278.70 for couples, per week.
Savings Credit: An extra payment for people who have saved some money up for their retirement on top of their pension plans. If you reached the state pension age before April 2016, then you can get up to £14.04 a week as a single person, or £15.71 for couples.
You can apply for pension credit up to 4 months before you hit the state pension age, and if you receive the benefit then it makes you eligible for a range of other benefits as well.
Cold Weather Payments
Between November 1st and March 31st every year, the government runs the Cold Weather Payment scheme. This means that if the average daily temperature is recorded as 0°C or lower for 7 days in a row you are entitled to £25 from the government towards extra heating costs. If eligible you’ll get the payment after each 7-day consecutive period. You can claim this benefit if you receive one or more income-related benefit, which includes:
- Income support
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income-related employment and support allowance
Winter Fuel Payments
Unlike the cold weather payments, Winter Fuel Payments aren’t tied to the temperature. Instead, if you receive a state pension or pension credit you could be eligible for a payment of between £100 and £300 tax-free to help pay your heating bills. To claim this you do need to have been born before 25th September 1956 and lived in the UK for at least one day of the ‘qualifying week’ each year. And that qualifying week changes each year.
Disability Living Allowance
If you are disabled or have documented mobility issues, you could claim Disability Living Allowance, or DLA to help with mobility care costs. The way this benefit works is currently being changed, with the government replacing it with PIP for people between 16 and the state pension age, and Attendance Allowance for those above the state pension age. If you’re already claiming DLA and you were born before 1948 you’ll keep receiving it and nothing will change. If you aren’t and you’re above state pension age, you will be asked to apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
Attendance Allowance
If you’re above the state pension age and you have a disability that required help from someone else, you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance. This is a variable benefit, with the amount you receive dependant on how much help you require. Generally:
- If you need frequent help or supervision during the day or at night (but not both), you may receive the lower rate of £61.85 per week.
- If you need frequent help or supervision during both the day and the night, or you’re terminally ill, you may be entitled to the higher rate of £92.40 per week.
It’s important to note that it doesn’t matter if you’re actually getting the assistance at that moment. The fact that you qualify for assistance means you can receive the allowance. The only exception to this is if you live in a care home and the local authority pays for your care.
Free TV Licence
Pensioners have always been able to access free or discounted TV licenses, but the process changed slightly in 2020. Now, you need to be over 75 (or your partner does if you live at the same address), and you need to be receiving pension credit to get your free TV license. You also won’t get it automatically – you have to apply for it, which you can do from the age of 74. If you’re over 60 but under 75 and retired or disabled, you can apply for a reduced rate TV license of just £7.50.
Travel Discounts
There are multiple schemes available to subsidise travel on public transport for pension ages people, and they will vary depending on where you live. All UK residents are entitled to a free bus pass when they reach the women’s state pension age (regardless of gender), as well as a senior railcard, which gives you 1/3 off all train fares. If you live in London, you can travel on busses, tubes and some national rail services for free from the age of 60 through the Oyster system.
Medical Support
Unfortunately, as we get older more health issues tend to crop up, so any financial help you can get in this area can make a real difference The main assistance available includes:
- Free eye check-ups from 60, and vouchers to help purchase glasses and contact lenses.
- Free dental treatment if you receive the Guarantee Credit part of the Pension Credit
- Access to the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme. You need to be receiving some form of benefits for older people or pensioners to be eligible and will need to produce some evidence before you can claim.
We know that was a lot of information to take in! With so many benefits available, all with different eligibility criteria, it can feel simpler not to bother at all. But then you’re losing out on a lot of very valuable support. At GP Norgate we specialise in helping you understand what benefits you are entitled to, as well as supporting you through the application process from start to finish. If you would like to know more, just get in touch with the team today to book your free, confidential chat today.