A HUGE range of freebies, discounts and benefits are available to those over state pension age that could save them thousands of pounds a year.
Many pensioners are facing hardship this winter after access to the Winter Fuel Payment was cut – but there are other ways to boost your budget if you get state pension.
Pensioners could claim a number of freebies and discounts this month[/caption]
According to charity Age UK, billions of pounds’ of benefits go unclaimed every year, so it’s worth checking what support you might be entitled to using the charity’s benefits calculator.
But even if you’re not entitled to benefit payments there other discounts and freebies you can claim to cut your bills.
The support available covers everything from help with rental costs, assistance for those requiring care, pension top-ups and discounted transport.
Combined these freebies and discounts could make you thousands of pounds better off this winter.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is a gateway benefit that can unlock a number of other payments, including the Winter Fuel Payment, which is worth up to £300.
It’s estimated that more than 800,000 people who qualify aren’t claiming the benefit, so it’s important to check if you’re eligible.
Pension Credit is a tax-free benefit that will top up your income to a set amount.
The weekly benefit comes in two parts – guarantee credit and savings credit – and is completely separate from your State Pension.
You can claim Pension Credit if you have reached State Pension age and your weekly income is less than:
- £218.15 if you’re single
- £332.95 if you’re a couple.
Pension Credit tops up what you are currently receiving to meet the above amounts.
If you’ve saved money towards retirement this amount is topped up further via the savings credit part of the benefit.
Some of the other perks Pension Credit unlocks are help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills and even a free TV licence if you are 75 or older.
You may also get additional Pension Credit if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or have to pay certain housing costs such as mortgage interest payments.
Applications can be made on the Government website or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
If you file a claim by 21 December, backdated to the qualifying week (16 to 22 September 2024), you could still receive this year’s Winter Fuel Payment.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance can help with extra costs incurred due to a severe disability that means you require regular assistance.
It’s paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care you need.
The lower rate is worth £72.65 a week, while the higher rate is paid out at £108.55 a week.
If you require frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night, you can claim the lower amount.
Those who require supervision throughout the day and night will receive the higher rate.
There are 56 categories of medical conditions that enable you to make a claim, including heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.
You are also entitled to claim if a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live.
To apply online, visit www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/how-to-claim.
Council Tax reduction
Pensioners on a low income or receive qualifying benefits can get help towards their Council Tax bill from their local authority.
The amount your bill might be cut by depends on your circumstances.
But, if you receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit, your council tax could be written off in full.
If you live alone, you will get the 25% reduction, even if you’re not entitled to any other benefits.
To apply for a Council Tax reduction, contact your local council.
State Pension
State pension is paid to both men and women from the age of 66.
Not everyone gets the same amount, with the payment rate based on an individual’s National Insurance (NI) record.
Workers must have 35 qualifying years of NI credits to get the maximum amount of the new state pension, which stands at £221.20 per week.
NI qualification is built up through work, or by getting credits for other reasons, such as looking after children and claiming Child Benefit.
If you have gaps, you can top up your record by paying in voluntary NI contributions.
To get the old, full basic State Pension, you will need 30 years of contributions or credits.
You will need at least 10 years on your NI record to get any state pension.
Last month, it was confirmed that the maximum payment for the new state pension will rise from £8,814 to £9,167 from April 2025.
You should receive a letter no later than two months before you reach state pension age explaining how to get it.
Housing benefit
Housing Benefit can help with rental costs, if you’re of state pension age and on a low income.
To receive the benefit you will need to have less than £16,000 in savings.
If you live with a partner you both need to be of state pension age to claim Housing Benefit, if not you’ll need to make a Universal Credit claim.
Housing Benefit is means tested, so the amount you will receive depends on your income and how much you have in savings.
But if you get the guarantee element of Pension Credit, your income and savings won’t be taken into account – so you may get your rent paid in full.
To apply for Housing Benefit, contact your local council.
Cold weather payment
Cold weather payments are made to eligible residents in areas where the temperature is recorded at zero degrees Celsius or below, for seven consecutive days.
A £25 payment will be made for each seven day period of very cold weather between November 1 2024 and March 31 2025.
You may be eligible for the payments if you receive:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Payments are made automatically, so you do not need to apply for the benefit.
Warm home discount
The £150 warm home discount is available to pensioners and those on low incomes.
Those who qualify for the discount will have £150 deducted from their energy bills by the end of March 2025.
You’ll be eligible if you receive the guarantee credit element of Pension Credit, or are on a low income and have high energy costs.
The discount should be automatically deducted from your energy bill this winter if your eligible, but those on low-incomes living in Scotland need to apply through their energy providers.
If you were eligible for the payment last winter and did not receive it, contact your energy supplier.
If your energy supplier is unable to help write to the warm home discount scheme on 110552 Warm Home Discount Scheme,
PO Box 26965, Glasgow, G1 9BW.
WaterSure Scheme
WaterSure could help with water bills if you receive benefits and use a lot of water either because someone in the household has a medical condition or because you live with three or more school-age children.
To apply you will also need to have a water meter, or be waiting for one to be installed.
The scheme is managed by suppliers, so you will need to check with your water company to see which benefits qualify households for support.
People with medial conditions that can lead to increased water use will be eligible.
Those given automatic qualification include people with Crohn’s disease, desquamation, eczema, psoriasis or varicose ulceration, abdominal stomas and renal failure requiring dialysis at home.
Those with other conditions can apply as long as their doctor supports the application.
Forms to apply can be accessed through water companies.
Free TV licence
You can claim a free TV licence if you’re 75 or older and either receive Pension Credit yourself or live with a partner who gets Pension Credit.
You can apply for a free licence when you’re 74, but will still have to pay until the end of the month before your 75th birthday.
You can apply for your free licence online or by calling 0300 790 6071.
If you’re not entitled to go a free licence, you could still receive a discount.
You could be eligible for a discounted TV licence if you live in residential care or sheltered accommodation, or if you’re registered blind.
If you live in sheltered accommodation or residential care and are over 60 or disabled you can get a licence for just £7.50.
Your housing manager should be able to check if you’re eligible and will apply for you.
If you’re registered blind, or live with someone who is, you’re in line for a 50% discount.
The licence must be in the name if the person registered blind, but if your existing licence is not in their name you can make an application to transfer it.
You can apply for the discount on the TV Licensing website.
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance is available to those who look after someone who would find it difficult to manage without their support.
You don’t need to be related to the person you care for to make the claim.
Carer’s Allowance and the state pension are overlapping benefits, so you can’t claim both independently.
But if you receive less than £81.90 through your state pension, you can claim carer’s allowance to top it up to that level.
To be eligible you must spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who is ill or disabled.
To apply call the Carer’s Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0297
Days out
Many attractions, leisure centres and other entertainment providers will offer pensioners reduced priced tickets.
It’s always worth checking what’s available before planning a day out, because you could make a big saving.
Those offering savings include cinemas. For example tickets for Odeon’s Silvers screenings start at just £3.50.
The National Trust offers those who have been members for three years or more 25% off their subscription once they turn 60.
Attractions such as Kew Gardens and English Heritage sites also offer reduced rates for pensioners.
Many football clubs offer discounts for people over the age of 65, so you could also support your local club without breaking the bank.
Some restaurants also offer discounts for pensioners at specified times.
For example many Greene King pubs have senior menus, which offer smaller portion sizes of traditional dishes.
Transport concessions
In England, you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach state pension age.
Plus, if you live in London, you can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport when you’re 60, but only within the capital.
In Wales, you can get a bus pass when you reach 60.
You get an older person’s bus pass when you’re 60 if you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
You can apply for the pass via your local council’s website which will have more information.
Pensioners can also apply for a Senior Railcard to get discounted rail fares.
There is an annual cost of £30 for the card and gets you 1/3 off train travel.
People with a Senior Railcard save on average £142 a year, according to the government.
The Senior Railcard is available to travellers aged 60 or over.
You can apply for the card on the National Rail website.
Free prescriptions and eye tests
Once you reach 60, you can get free prescriptions from your local pharmacy – prescriptions usually cost £9.90 each in England.
So if you usually buy a single prescription each month you could save £118.80 over the year.
This benefit is automatic and there’s no need to apply.
If you’re 60 or over you’re also entitled to a free NHS sight test, so you should let your optician know when you reach 60 if you haven’t already.
Eye tests can usually cost between £20 and £30.
Household Support Fund
Struggling households can get help with the cost of living via the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The fund has been extended for the sixth time, with £421million set to be made available to regional councils to distribute.
The support you can access depends on where you live, but funds can be paid out as shopping or fuel vouchers, cash payments or other means.
Households in Reading who are no longer eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, and who are in receipt of support from the Council Tax Reduction scheme and/or Housing Benefit, are to be sent a voucher worth £200.
Meanwhile struggling residents and families who live in Torridge can apply for free cash grants directly to bank accounts worth £100s.
These grants can be used to help households with their energy and water bills.
Others may be eligible for cash vouchers to be spent on food at their local supermarket.
Check with your local council to find out what you could be entitled to.
Pension Credit explained
Pension Credit is a benefit which gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re on a low income in retirement.
It can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
You may be able to get extra help of you’re a carer, have a disability, or are responsible for a child.
It also opens up access to lots of other benefits such as the warm home discount scheme, support for mortgage interest, council tax discounts, free TV licences once you’re over 75, and help with NHS costs.
To qualify, you need to be over state pension age and live in England, Scotland or Wales.
If you have a partner, you need to include them on your claim.
Pension Credit tops up:
- your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single
- your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner
However, even if your income is higher, you might still qualify if you have a disability or caring responsibilities.
There is also another element to Pension Credit called savings credit. To get this, you need to have saved some money towards your retirement.
You can get an extra £17.01 a week for a single person or £19.04 a week for a married couple.
If you have more than £10,000 in savings, the government uses a calculation to work out how much it adds to your income.
Every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.
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