The government is set to increase state pensions from today after it confirmed the return of the triple lock guarantee.
It means that the basic state pension will go up from £141.85 per week to £156.20 while the new state pension will rise from £185.15 per week to £203.85. However, while the rise will be a welcome bonus for many pensioners, it may not be enough to bridge the gap between earnings and the cost of living.
Fortunately, there is additional help available across the country for pensioners. This support can help with a wide range of living costs such as housing and bills.
Read more: State pension increases today - how much you will get and what it means
Here's a breakdown of which benefits and payment you could receive while claiming the state pension...
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
Pensioners eligible for the winter fuel payment will automatically receive some extra cash from November this year. This will come in the form of either £150 or £300, depending on your eligibility.
The full amount of payment you receive will depend on when you were born and your situation during the qualifying dates which are yet to be announced. You can receive the winter fuel payment for the 2023/24 tax year if you were born before September 24, 1957.
The government will issue a letter in October or November to notify you of how much extra money you will receive.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is provided to help with living costs and is made available to those over the state pension age as well as on a low income. According to the government, the cash can also be used to help with housing costs such as rent.
When applying for Pension Credit, your income will be calculated, however, if you have a partner then both of your incomes will be calculated together. You will receive a Pension Credit top-up for your weekly income, bringing it to £201.05 if you're single or £306.85 for a joint weekly income if you have a partner.
If your income is higher than either of these, you may still be able to claim Pension Credit if you have a disability, are a carer for someone, or have housing costs.
If you have a disability you could get an extra £76.40 a week whereas if you're a carer for an adult you could receive an extra £42.75 per week.
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit can help those over the state pension age pay for rent. You can also claim Housing benefit if you live with your partner as long as you are both state pension age, or at least one of you has started claiming Pension Credit before May 15, 2019, or if you're in supported, sheltered, or temporary housing.
There is no set amount of what you'll receive with Housing Benefit and you get will depend on whether you rent privately or from a council. If you live in social housing, your claim will be affected by your rent plus service charges, any spare rooms, and your household income.
If you rent privately, your claim will change depending on you eligible rent, your household income, pensions, and savings.
Council Tax reduction
Depending on your local council's policy, you may receive a discount on your council tax if you're a pensioner. To see if you're eligible with your local authority, you can head on over to the government website and enter your postcode.
This will then provide a link to your local council's council tax website which can provide information on eligibility in your area and how to make a claim.
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