Brits aged over 66 can claim these 10 benefits worth over £9,000 a year (Image: Getty)
With rising living costs placing increasing pressure on household finances, state pensioners are being urged to check they are claiming all the support available to them. At least 10 different benefits are on offer to those aged 66 and over, potentially boosting annual income by more than £9,000.
It comes as a staggering £23billion worth of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits and social tariffs go unclaimed each year, according to a report by Policy in Practice. Further highlighting the issue, research published in January by the Fabian Society revealed that nearly two million pensioners in the UK are currently living in poverty, many of whom may be missing out on vital financial support to which they are entitled.
READ MORE: Brits risk missing ‘golden pension opportunity’ due to common misconception
Some benefits are significantly underclaimed, yet could boost pensioners’ income by thousands (Image: Getty)
While some benefits stop once people reach state pension age, a host of new ones become available. However, research shows many claimants are simply unaware these benefits exist or wrongly assume they won’t be eligible. Here are 10 benefits you can claim aged 66 and over.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance supports pensioners who need help with personal care or supervision due to an illness or a disability. Claimants must have needed help for at least six months to apply for the benefit (unless they have a terminal illness).
The benefit is paid at two rates: the lower rate and the higher rate. The amount claimants receive is calculated based on how much help is required, not any current help the person does or doesn’t get. A list of health conditions claimed for can be found here.
The lower and higher weekly payment rates are:
- Higher rate: £110.40
- Lower rate: £73.90.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is a weekly payment people can claim if either:
- They’re disabled because of an accident at work
- They have an illness that was caused by work or an employment training scheme.
The scheme covers more than 70 diseases, including, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and deafness.
The amount a person receives depends on their circumstances, but payments range from £45.06 to £225.30 a week.
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Pension Credit
Pension Credit is targeted at low-income pensioners to help with daily living costs, but people do not need to receive the state pension to get this.
People may get extra amounts if they have other responsibilities and costs. The top-up and extra amounts are known as ‘Guarantee Credit’. The rates for the standard guarantee are:
- Single: £227.10
- Couple: £346.60
Additional amounts for severe disability include:
- Single: £82.90
- Couple (one qualifies): £82.90
- Couple (both qualify): £165.80
Full details on additional payments for carers, children and savings credit can be found on GOV.UK here.
Eligible claimants are also granted access to a wide range of other benefits, including help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills, and a free TV licence.
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s allowance is paid to people who care for someone who receives certain disability benefits for at least 35 hours a week.
The current rate is £83.30 a week, and people can be eligible if they earn £196 a week or less. More information can be found here.
Housing benefit
State pensioners can claim financial support to pay for all or part of their rent. A new claim must be made once a person reaches state pension age, and the amount of help received depends on a person’s income and savings, the rent due, and whether they have a spare room.
Council Tax Reduction
Some state pension-age Britons may be able to claim a discount on their council tax bill through the Council Tax Reduction scheme.
Some councils can offer as much as a 100% discount on bills. Each local council run its own scheme, so how a person makes a claim might differ depending on where they live.
People are advised to contact their local council to make a claim. They can find out their options by entering their postcode into this Government tool.
Free NHS prescriptions
People aged 60 and over qualify for free NHS medication. With prices amounting to £9.90 for each prescription, this can knock hundreds of pounds off pensioners’ outgoings.
Winter Fuel Payment
Britons born before September 23, 1958, could get between £100 and £300 to help pay their heating bills during the winter.
People may be eligible if they or their partner get certain benefits, such as Pension Credit. If eligible, the payment is usually made automatically, and letters confirming receipt are sent out from October.
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, recently announced that the eligibility criteria for the benefit will be revised following backlash over the new means-tested eligibility rules, which stripped the support from millions last winter. It’s currently unclear what the new rules will be, but some suggest a new annual income threshold could be used to determine eligibility, rather than whether they claim other benefits.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount scheme offers a £150 reduction on energy bills for some of the most financially vulnerable pensioners. The payments are distributed from November and are applied to people’s bills automatically in most instances.
Elderly individuals will qualify for the discount if they or their partner receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit. They may also be eligible for the support if they receive the Savings Credit portion of Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
Cold Weather Payment
Along with those who receive other low-income benefits, Pension Credit claimants can also qualify for cold weather payments.
These payments are made if the average temperature in a person’s area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees or below over seven consecutive days.
Recipients get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November and March.
