Consumer publication Which? has revealed the biggest perks and cash boosts that are available to pensioners through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), NHS and other sources. Currently, people are facing big challenges in making ends meet with inflation having been above 11 per cent and essentials such as food soaring in price.
There is also the issue of the cold weather making many, especially older people, feel the cold, meaning they’re having to put the heating on a lot more. Which? said: “Many pensioners are under huge financial pressure at the moment due to the cost of living crisis, so as part of its Money-saving Monday series, Which? is highlighting a number of ways for them to boost their incomes.”
Reena Sewraz, Which? Money Expert, said: “If you’re a pensioner in the UK, make sure you are getting all the help you’re entitled to this winter. A simple way to do this is claiming pension credit. Even if you’re only eligible for a small amount, it’s still worth doing as it can help unlock more benefits and perks such as the additional £300 cost of living payment the government has announced.
Read more: Full list of one-off DWP payments government is handing out in February 2023
“But don’t stop there. There are several steps you can take to boost your income, as well as plenty of discounts and freebies to take advantage of once you hit a certain age.”
Here is the Which? list of key things pensioners should be looking out for:
1. Housing Benefit
Those who claim pension credit might be able to get some or all of their rent paid in full by their local authority. There are two ways to claim – either at the same time as claiming pension credit or by contacting the local council directly.
There is no limit to the amount of housing benefit someone receives, it will depend on whether they rent privately or from a council. If you own your home, you won’t be eligible for housing benefit, but you could get help paying your mortgage interest.
2. Medical freebies and discounts
You can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you are 60 or over, and you will not have to pay for eye tests. You can also, depending on your circumstances, get for free NHS dental treatment (if receiving the guarantee credit part of pension credit), the cost of glasses or contact lenses, NHS wigs and fabric supports and travel costs to receive NHS treatment.
3. Carer perks
Many people don’t see themselves as unpaid carers or realise what support they’re entitled to when busy with caring responsibilities. It’s important to make sure you’re getting the maximum support you’re entitled to, especially when you reach State Pension age.
If your State Pension is less than Carer’s Allowance you can get the difference paid in Carer’s Allowance. For example, based on the current rate of Carer’s Allowance per week (£69.60 2022/23), if your State Pension is £60 per week you can get £9.60 per week in Carer’s Allowance.
If your State Pension is more than Carer’s Allowance This means you will not be eligible to be paid Carer’s Allowance. However, it is still worth applying as you may be able to get what’s called an ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance.
This is where it is agreed that you meet the criteria for Carer’s Allowance, and you will be sent a letter of ‘underlying entitlement’. This tells the benefit agencies that you are still a carer, and because of this it may mean certain benefits you’re already receiving increase (if they’re means-tested, ie based on your earnings, income or capital) or you may be eligible to receive certain benefits for the first time.
4. Free TV Licence
You can apply for a free TV Licence if: You, as the licence holder, are 75 years or older and you, or your partner living at the same address, receive Pension Credit.
5. Warm Home Discount
People who receive the guarantee credit element of pension credit will qualify for the Warm Home Discount, which could grant £150 off the electricity bills for winter 2022-23 under the scheme. The qualifying date for claiming is usually in July – those eligible should receive a discount the following winter.
You should have received a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between October 2022 and January 2023 telling you how to get the discount if you qualify. If you didn’t receive a letter by mid-January 2023, contact the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 731 0214 before 28 February 2023.
6. Cold Weather Payment
The Cold Weather Payment scheme runs from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 and gives £25 payments for each seven-day period of cold weather. Claimants of any other income-related benefits (such as pension credit, income support, or Universal Credit) are eligible.
7. Winter fuel payment
If you were born before 26 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. The amount you get includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’. This is between £150 and £300.
You’ll get this extra amount in both winter 2022 to 2023 and winter 2023 to 2024. This is in addition to any other Cost of Living Payments you get with your benefit or tax credits.
8. Cheaper days out
Pensioners, or those aged 65 and over, are eligible for discounts on a range of leisure activities including museum visits, cinema tickets, sports tickets. For example, English Heritage and National Trust offer discounts on memberships and Odeon, Vue and Empire cinemas offer cheaper tickets to pensioners.
For more details visit: https://www.ageukmobility.co.uk/mobility-news/article/the-best-discounts-for-over-60s
9. Travel discounts
Do you travel a lot on the train? An over 60s railcard will help you save money. Every year National Rail offers an annual senior discount card that offers a third off all rail fares as well as discounts on days out, holidays and even theatre tickets.
Over 60s can buy this railcard for £30 for one year or £70 for three years and it saves an average of up to £76 a year for older people. One of the best over 60 discounts available is the pensioner’s bus pass.
Those in England can get a bus pass that allows them to enjoy free travel once they reach the state pension age. The National Express Senior Coach Card offers a great way to save 1/3 on Standard and Fully Flexible coach fares to hundreds of towns, cities and airports across the UK.
With the card there are no restrictions on-peak and off-peak travel times, so you can travel when it suits you best, including on public holidays, bank holidays and weekends.
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- Energy suppliers giving out free bill credit worth up to £250
