Inflation reached the highest rate it has been for decades in January 2022. The rise makes the cost of living continue to rapidly rise, with a further predicted increases expected in the coming months. This has and will continue to have a significant impact on many, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, but this financial burden could be eased through the receipt of age and circumstance-related benefits.
Over £5bn of Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit and Housing Benefit goes unclaimed by older people every year. These benefits are being missed out on unnecessarily, largely due to lack of awareness of the support available or difficulty in completing the applications. It’s estimated that over half of claims are rejected because forms have been completed incorrectly.
As ever, it remains our mission to support those of retirement age, empowering you through knowledge and guidance, so below is a summary of the benefits you may be entitled to help ease the financial strain.
If you’d like us to help you or a loved one, just call us on 01628 947066 for a chat.
Older Persons’ Benefits
Attendance Allowance
A benefit of either £73.90 or £110.40 a week to help with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.
Eligibility:
- Be of state pension age
- Have a physical disability and/or mental disability (including learning difficulties) which requires help and support (you do not need to be currently receiving care)
- You have needed that help for at least 6 months
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
A replacement to the Disability Living Allowance (DLA). It is a tax-free benefit for people with a disability to support with care and mobility costs. If you meet both the care and mobility components, you could receive up to £187.45 per week.
Eligibility:
- You must meet criteria for either the care component if you need help with everyday tasks and/or the mobility care component if you have severe difficulties walking.
Winter Fuel Payments
An annual tax-free payment of £100-300 to help with heating bills.
Eligibility:
You must have been born on or before 26th September 1955 and not be receiving any of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount is a payment of £140 which is applied directly to/taken off your bills to help with your fuel costs over winter.
Eligibility differs, dependent on income.
Blue Badge Scheme
Support to park closer to your intended destination. You must still adhere to parking regulations to ensure safety to yourself and others, but a Blue Badge can mean easier access and in many locations including hospitals can mean free parking.
N.B. even with a Blue Badge, do check the parking area’s specific rules.
Subsidised TV Licence
Your TV licence will be free if you are aged 75 and receiving Pension Credit.
If you are blind or sight-impaired, you are eligible to a 50% reduction.
You are not awarded the free or reduced licence fee automatically so still need to apply by calling TV Licensing on 0300 790 6117.
Council Tax Support
A benefit to help people who are on a lower income or claiming certain benefits to pay their Council Tax bill.
Eligibility differs by local authority.
Free or Subsidised Travel
A Senior Rail Card is available to anyone over 60 years old. It is a one-off cost of £30 (or £70 for a 3-year card) and entitles you to a 1/3 off your travel fare.
An older person’s bus pass is completely free and entitles you to travel for free on local buses. In England you are eligible when you reach the State Pension age. For people in Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland you are eligible when you turn 60. You can check your eligibility here.
Budgeting Loan
Are you Struggling to make ends meet? You may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan.
A budgeting loan is here to help you cover essential costs when you simply cannot make ends meet, for example you have had an unexpected bill to pay. You could borrow up to £348 if you are single or £464 if you are in a couple.
To be eligible you must be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance.
