Millions miss out on valuable state support, often because they don’t think they qualify. Those on low incomes may be able to claim help towards their gas and electricity bills from little-known energy supplier schemes, too.
More than 10million pensioners will no longer get their £200 Winter Fuel Payment, worth £300 for the over 80s, after last month’s shock move by chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Only those eligible for means-tested state pension top-up Pension Credit now qualify for the valuable support.
Any single pensioner whose income is above £11,343.80 will be ruled out. Labour considers them too wealthy.
Claiming Pension Credit is now even more vital than ever yet almost four in 10 who are eligible don’t get it and their numbers are rising, said Independent Age chief executive Joanna Elson. “Up to 1.2million older adults living on a low income could be missing out.”
As well as losing £4,000 a year on average they will now miss out on their Winter Fuel Payment too, which Elson said “is dangerous and puts older lives at risk”.
Reeves has pledged to boost Pension Credit take up but time is short and many will miss out. A Pension Credit claim can transform lives.
Don’t leave it to the politicians. Everybody should check whether a family member, friend or neighbour is losing valuable income and if necessary, help them claim.
There is no time to lose as Pension Credit opens the door to a host of useful entitlements such as a free TV licence for over-75s, access to Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and the Warm Homes Discount.
It can even give claimants help towards dental and optical costs. “This extra support can be worth up to £8,000 a year, but only if people claim it,” Elson said.
Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if single or £332.95 for couples. You can check eligibility online at Gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator, said Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at wealth manager Quilter. “The application process is simple and can be done online, by post or by calling 0800 99 1234.”
Pensioners should also check their eligibility two other highly valuable state benefits.
Attendance Allowance is paid to pensioners with a severe physical or mental disability that demands they receive support. It’s worth up to £5,644.60 a year and crucially, it’s not means-tested.
Claimants get £72.65 or £108.55 a week, depending on the level of help they need. What you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get.
Attendance Allowance is one of the most under-claimed benefits, with up to 1.1million missing out on support worth £5.2billion a year.
If you qualify, you could also get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.
Carer’s Allowance pays £81.90 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week, and they claim certain benefits.
It’s worth £4,258.80 a year, but up to half a million wrongly fail to claim.
There’s a lot more support out there. Often from unexpected sources.
Many who are struggling to pay fuel bills or running up fuel debts don’t realise they can get support from their supplier. British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and others set aside cash to help those in difficulty.
Since 2021, British Gas has helped more than 21,000 customers with energy debt write-off grants worth up to £2,000.
EDF has a Consumer Support Fund that helps vulnerable customers with energy debt, but first they must seek independent debt advice from a charity such as Citizens Advice, StepChange Debt Charity or National DebtLine.
The EON Next Energy Fund helps eligible customers with direct financial support and debt write-offs, or replacement of inefficient or broken appliances such as a cooker, fridge or washing machine.
Octopus customers in difficulty can apply for support such as grants and standing charge holidays from its £30million Octo Assist Fund, based on need.
While scrapping the Winter Fuel Payment Rachel Reeves also did something that could force pensioners to sell their homes to meet care costs.
