Over 60s – Free Home Improvement Grants
Age UK Help For Pensioners
Unfortunately, many elderly people / pensioners in the UK don’t claim all of the government grants and benefits they are entitled to and so miss out on hundreds of pounds of assistance every year.
This is mainly due to lack of awareness and the absence of targeted advertising by the government and other organisations.
This blog is especially to inform our elderly generation what Fuel Poverty Grants / Government Benefits they may be entitled to and how they go about claiming them.
3.5 Billion Grants Are Available
£3.5bn worth of Age-Related Benefits and Government grants do go unclaimed every year in the UK.
This is not acceptable as many elderly people are living in fuel poverty and many have to choose whether to Heat or Eat in the winter.
If you know of any elderly people living on the breadline or struggling to pay for winter fuel etc please refer them to this blog.
Age UK Help For Pensioners has many grants to offer elderly people to live a more comfortable life.
SEE OUR VIDEO
INTERESTED IN A GRANT – APPLY HERE
Heating & Insulation Grants
There are millions of pounds worth of energy efficiency grants available under the Government Affordable Warmth Scheme to upgrade heating & insulation.
Many grants are 100% Free.
These grants can save you hundreds of ££ off your heating bills.
Heating & Insulation Grants – What Is Avaliable
FREE STORAGE HEATERS – Replace Old Storage Heater for Free
FREE CENTRAL HEATING – Upgrade to Free First Time Central Heating
FREE HOME INSULATION – Insulate Your Home Properly
Pensioners who receive Pension Credit Guarantee or disability benefits are all eligible for a grant
INTERESTED IN A GRANT – APPLY HERE
Possible DWP Benefits You Can Claim
Please check if you are entitled to one or more of these benefits.
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
Pension Guarantee Credit is an income based benefit that tops up your income if your existing weekly income is below a certain threshold.
Pension Savings Credit –
This provides a top up to your weekly income if you have saved some money, or your income is higher than state pension
Who Is Entitled To Pension Credit ?
Currently all pensioners are entitled to a minimum income of :
Single Claim – £177.10
Joint Couple Claim – £270.30
If your income is below this, you should make a claim
All those that qualify for Pension Credit are also eligible for other means tested benefits such as :
Free Dental & Eye care & Free Heating & Insulation Grants.
The list is not exhaustive.
How To Claim Pension Credit
Pension Credit Helpline – Telephone: 0800 99 1234
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
How To Claim Carers Allowance
VISIT HERE TO MAKE A CLAIM
https://www.carersallowance.service.gov.uk/ui-citizen-claim/allowance-benefits
Attendance Allowance
An Attendance Allowance is available for anyone over the age of 65 who requires help from a carer, to help pay for their availability during necessary times.
Attendance Allowance is provided to help care for people who are over 65 and have either a mental or physical disability.
It is provided at two different rates, depending on the level of care that your disability requires.
For those requiring round-the-clock care the 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
How To Claim Attendance Allowance
VISIT HERE FOR A CLAIM FORM
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/attendance-allowance-claim-form
Television Licence For The Elderly
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.
Cold Weather Payment
If the winter is a particularly cold one and the temperature hits zero degrees , those in receipt of Pension Credit, are entitled to a Cold Weather Payment.
The payment applies if the average temperature is, or is forecast to be 0°C or below for seven days in a row between 1 November and 31 March.
How To Claim Cold Weather Payment
You do not need to apply. If you’re eligible to get a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid it automatically.
Winter Fuel Allowance
If you were born on or before 5 August 1953 you may be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment Of Between £100 and £300 to assist you to pay for your heating bills.
The Winter Fuel Payment is usually paid automatically to you via your state pension if you are eligible
If you feel you may be eligible but not in receipt of this , you’ll need to make a claim.
How To Claim Winter Fuel Allowance
Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160
Warm Home Discount
This is £140 rebate on energy bills and is deducted from your bill at source
All the big 6 energy suppliers are required by law to help vulnerable customers pay for their energy use.
The Warm Home Discount applies to all Pension Credit Claimants and those who are on a low income
How To Claim Warm Home Discount
You should get paid automatically but if you do not receive it, you should contact your energy supplier.
Note Warm Front no longer process this payment.
Disability Grants
Personal Independence Payment / Disability Living Allowance
Disabled Facillities Grants
Your Local Authority can help with grants to help you continue to go on living independently in your own home.
There is help to cover various home adaptations / improvements.
Housing Benefit
Housing benefit offers financial support to those who are on a low income and need help to pay their rent.
It does not apply to those who are retired and still paying a mortgage.
Housing Benefit is a means tested benefit and you have to meet the criteria for eligibility.
How To Claim Housing Benefit
Contact Your Local Council For Information
Council Tax 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
How To Claim 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.
Qualification for the bus pass depends on where you live.
- if you live in England you can 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
Over 60s may also get help with:
- NHS dental treatment
- the cost of glasses or contact lenses
- NHS wigs
- travel costs to NHS treatment
You will qualify for help with these NHS costs if you receive:
- the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit (in some circumstances)
- Universal Credit (in some cases)
0300 330 1343 for an application form, or by speaking with your doctor, dentist or optician.
Bereavement Benefits
The Bereavement Support Payment is applicable to those who have lost a wife, husband or civil partner
Bereavement benefits are :
- not means-tested,
- you can apply if still working,
How Much Is Paid
- a lump sum payment of £2,500 (£3,500 for those with children).
- You will then receive 18 monthly instalments of £100 (or £350 for those receiving Child Benefit)
You will be able to claim this benefit if:
- the bereavement happened on or after 6 April 2017
- you are under State Pension age
- it’s been less than three months since your bereavement
INTERESTED IN A GRANT – APPLY HERE
COMPLETE LIST OF HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANTS ON THIS WEBSITE
