Age Concern UK- Help For Our OAPs 2023
Age Concern UK- Help For Our OAPs 2023
£3.5bn worth of Age-Related Benefits and Government grants do go unclaimed every year by many elderly people / pensioners !
Unfortunately, this Is mainly due to a lack of awareness and many elderly people have to choose whether to Heat or Eat in the winter.
Lots Of OAPs are struggling with household costs, especially as energy bills which have gone through the roof this year.
Your first port of call should be upgrading heating & insulation will reduce your energy bills by up to 30%.
SEE OUR HEATING GRANTS PAGE
Age UK Advice Line 0800 678 1602
Give Age UK a call to see if there is any help you can apply for.
They are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year
Benefits Calculator – Age UK
A fantastic resource for pensioners is to visit Age Uk Website and see all the benefits & entitlements for you to be aware of and try to claim
There are over 50 different benefits to go through. Their benefits calculator is second to none too.
We recommend that EVERYONE SHOULD MAKE AN APPLICATION with the DWP for possible entitlement to the benefit.
You will get a written response from the DWP saying YEA or NAY.
Nothing ventured …………………….. Helplines are included
Pension Credit – Who Can Get It ?
Pension Guarantee Credit is an income based benefit that tops up your income if your existing weekly income is below a certain threshold.
Pension Credit also opens the door to other means tested benefits such as Free Dental & Eye care & Free Heating & Insulation Grants etc
You may be able to claim Pension Credit If Your Weekly Income Is Below :
Single Person – £201.05 – Joint Couple Claim – £306.85
To qualify for pension credit you must:
- Live in the UK – England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
- Have reached state pension age.
- Have a weekly income below £201.05 if you’re single, or £306.85 if you’re in a couple.
- If you’re in a couple, you’ll BOTH need to have reached state pension age but you don’t have to be married or in a civil partnership, you’re considered a couple if you live together.
How Do I Claim Pension Credit?
Pension Credit Helpline – Telephone: 0800 99 1234
Visit The Government website for more info and how to make a claim
https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator
Pension Credit
Pensioners Help With Fuel Bills
There are lots of help for pensioners with their energy bills.
All the below payments will greatly help our pensioners this winter.
Do check if you qualify for them.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme introduced in 2011 to help tackle fuel poverty and provide people with the financial help needed to stay warm during the winter months
This autumn nearly three million low-income households are eligible for a £150 rebate on their winter electricity bills.
This one-off payment of £150 is just one of a number of schemes that can offer financial help during the colder months.
Please note that if you are living in a mobile or park home, there is a separate application process.
Warm Home Discount Helpline 0800 731 0214 or Check with your energy supplier to see if you are eligible
Winter Fuel Payments
The Winter Fuel Payment was introduced in 1997 and is an annual tax-free heating allowance of between £100 and £300 made to those over pensionable age who may require assistance with their heating costs during the winter.
The payment is usually credited to your electricity bill by your supplier, or you will receive a voucher to redeem if you’re a pay-as-you-go customer.
This winter, they will also receive an extra one-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, which will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel Payment.
The winter fuel payment is not means-tested, which means you can still qualify if you’re working or claiming benefits.
Check if you’re eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
Cold Weather Payments
The Cold Weather Payment is a winter fuel allowance granted by the government to those who meet the qualifying criteria.
If you’re eligible, you could be due a payment of £25 every time the average temperature in your area hits zero degrees celsius or below, for seven or more consecutive days between 1st November and 31st March.
Pensioner Cost of Living Support
Pensioners on Universal Credit, Pension Credit will receive a payment of £650 this year, paid automatically in two instalments.
The first payment of £326 was made in summer. The second payment of £324 will be made by DWP to eligible customers between 8 and 23 November, and by HMRC between 23 and 30 November (to customers receiving tax credits only and no other eligible DWP benefits).
This is in addition to the £400 discount on energy bills.
Help With Energy Bills
All pensioners in Britain will get £400 off their energy bills between October 2022 and March 2023 via the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS).
You don’t have to pay this money back through future bills.
In England, Scotland and Wales, the money will be credited to the accounts of customers who pay by direct debit or with cash or a cheque.
For those on prepayment meters the money will be applied to the meter or sent in vouchers.
One-off payments
These are paid automatically and there’ll be no need to apply.
- a £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment for OAPs that receive the Winter Fuel Payment. This is a top-up to your Winter Fuel Payment in November/December.
- a £900 Cost of Living Payment for OAPs on means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit and Universal Credit.
- a £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment for OAPs receiving disability benefits, such as Attendance Allowance.
Household Support Fund
This is a payment to help pensioners in need with the rising cost of food, gas and electric, and water bills.
Each local council decide their own eligibility criteria – you’ll be paid automatically too.
Contact your local Council to check if you’re eligible for the Household Support Fund
Council Tax Rebate
If you live in Council Tax bands A to D in England you’ll get £150 back from your Council Tax bill (4 out of 5 households in England).
For most people the rebate is automatic, however if you don’t pay your Council Tax by direct debit then get in touch with your Council.
More information on the Council Tax rebate
Help paying your Water Bill
Many water companies run hardship schemes or fund independent charitable trusts which can help you pay your bills.
Get support paying your Water Bill
Carers Allowance
If you are over 65 are caring for someone, you may be eligible to claim this benefit.
Please note – Over 65s in receipt of Pension Credit, can still make a claim for Carers Allowance but it will be at a reduced rate
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is provided to help care for people who are over 65 and have either a mental or physical disability.
Anyone over the age of 65 who requires help from a carer, to help pay for their availability during necessary times is eligible.
Weekly rate is £83.10, whilst for those who only need support during the day or the night the rate is around £55.65 per week.
To Qualify For Attendance Allowance you must:
- be 65 or older
- have a carer providing support or supervision regularly
- have needed support for at least 6 months
Free Tv Licence For Over 75s
When you are over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit, you can get a free television licence.
blind or sight-impaired people will get a 50% discount on your TV licence
A certificate from your local authority ophthalmologist to confirm that you are blind or sight-impaired.
TV licensing HELPLINE on 0300 790 6117.
Home Improvement Grants For Disabled Pensioners
Disabled Facilities Grants can help meet the cost of making changes to your home so you or someone you live with can live safely and independently.
Your Local Authority can help with grants to help you continue to go on living independently in your own home.
Help for applying for this grant for adapting your home if disabled and need extra help in your home to manage to live safely.
Council Tax Support
Over 65s can apply for a Council Tax bill reduction if they are on certain means tested benefits/ low income.
Those on Guaranteed Pension Credit may qualify for up to 100% Council Tax Reduction -Contact Your Local Council For Information
Free Bus Pass
The government’s free OAP bus pass provides elderly people with a pass that allows them to use the bus at designated times of the day.
Usually starts from 9.30 am.
Apply for your bus pass when you reach the female age of retirement, whether you are male or female.
Free Prescription Charges
Everyone over the age of 60 in the UK is entitled to free prescriptions.
Free Sight Test
Everyone over the age of 60 in the UK is entitled to a free NHS sight test,
NHS Costs – Call 0300 330 1343 for an application form,
Over 60s may also get help with:
- NHS dental treatment
- the cost of glasses or contact lenses
- NHS wigs
- travel costs to NHS treatment
Free Home Improvement Service
Many local councils are now offering a free home improvement service / free advice to the most vulnerable people in society who otherwise would not be able to get assistance to make much needed repairs to their property.
These will be people of good standing that have been vetted and approved by your Council.
This service is dedicated to helping over 60s , people with disabilities, and vulnerable people to live in their own homes safely and comfortably.
The scheme is aimed at owner occupiers only and is free to use if you meet the council eligibility criteria.
Local handymen and tradespeople will be engaged by the council to ensure your home is safe and habitable.
This can include:
- Removing hazards from your home,
- Help with electrical work,
- Repairs to roofing,
- UPVC windows and doors replacement
- Advice on fire alarms and security equipment
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