AS the festive season approaches, pensioners across the UK have a golden opportunity to boost their finances ahead of the big day.
With an array of direct payments and benefits available upon hitting the state pension age, households could pocket up to 15,872, offering much-needed financial relief.
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From cash boosts through attendance allowance to direct winter fuel payments, a wealth of support is available for those over the age of 66.
Plus, anyone claiming the state pension can benefit from various discounts and freebies, including a free TV licence and prescriptions.
While some of these payments are issued automatically, others require an application.
We’ve listed the 14 direct payments, freebies and discounts available to those claiming the state pension this winter.
1. ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE – £4,727
Attendance allowance can help with extra costs incurred due to a severe disability that means you require regular assistance.
It’s paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care you need.
The lower rate is worth £72.65 a week, while the higher rate is paid out at £108.55 a week.
If you require frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night, you can claim the lower amount.
Those who require supervision throughout the day and night will receive the higher rate.
There are 56 categories of medical conditions that enable you to make a claim, including heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.
You are also entitled to claim if a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live.
To apply online, visit gov.uk/attendance-allowance/how-to-claim.
2. PENSION CREDIT – £3,900
If your weekly income is below £218.15 and you’re single, or your joint income is below £332.95, you’re very likely to be eligible for Pension Credit.
This added benefit will top up a pensioner’s income to the level outlined above. It’s thought to be worth £75 a week on average, which adds up to £3,900 a year.
An estimated 760,000 people who are entitled to this cash, don’t claim it.
Not only are they missing on the extra money, but there is more support available if you claim pension credit.
Crucially, the winter fuel payment worth up to £300 and paid in November or December is now being restricted to pensioners claiming pension credit and other means-tested benefits.
If you claim pension credit, you can also get help with council tax, support with mortgage interest payments, and a free TV licence and housing benefit if you rent.
Crucial to claim Pension Credit if you can
HUNDREDS of thousands of pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit.
The Sun’s Assistant Consumer Editor Lana Clements explains why it’s imperative to apply for the benefit..
Pension Credit is designed to top up the income of the UK’s poorest pensioners.
In itself the payment is a vital lifeline for older people with little income.
It will take weekly income up to to £218.15 if you’re single or joint income to £332.95.
Yet, an estimated 800,000 don’t claim this support. Not only are they missing on this cash, but far more extra support that is unlocked when claiming Pension Credit.
With the winter fuel payment – worth up to £300 now being restricted to pensioners claiming Pension Credit – it’s more important than ever to claim the benefit if you can.
Pension Credit also opens up help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills and even a free TV licence if you are 75 or older.
All this extra support can make a huge difference to the quality of life for a struggling pensioner.
It’s not difficult to apply for Pension Credit, you can do it up to four months before you reach state pension age through the government website or by calling 0800 99 1234.
You’ll just need your National Insurance number, as well as information about income, savings and investments.
3. HOUSING BENEFIT – £3,700
Almost 270,000 pensioners are missing out on £1.1billion in pension age housing benefit, according to the new figures, going without £3,700 a year on average.
The benefit is for pensioners who pay rent, are on a low income and have savings under £16,000.
New claims for housing benefit are strictly reserved for those over the state pension age.
Universal Credit‘s housing element has replaced housing benefit for those under 66 years old.
You can apply for housing benefit directly with your local council.
Find yours by visiting gov.uk/apply-housing-benefit-from-council.
You can also apply for housing benefit as part of a pension credit claim.
4. COUNCIL TAX DISCOUNT – £2,254
If you get the guarantee part of pension credit, you might be able to get your council tax completely cancelled out.
With the average Band D council tax in England this year at £2,171, it means a big saving.
If you don’t get pension credit but have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings, you may still get some help.
You need to contact your local council to start a claim.
5. WINTER FUEL PAYMENT – UP TO £300
The winter fuel payment is designed to help pensioners pay for their energy bills over the winter.
It’s worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.
To be eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment, you must have an active claim for the benefits mentioned below during the “qualifying week,” which runs from 16 to 22 September.
These include Universal Credit, employment and support allowance (ESA), jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), income support, tax credits and pension credit.
Most households automatically receive the winter fuel payment, including those on pension credit.
As new claims for pension credit can be backdated by up to three months, you can still apply now and qualify for this year’s winter fuel payment.
The absolute deadline to claim the benefit and qualify is December 21.
The Sun has now launched a free tool to help you check whether you will get the winter fuel payment this year.
6. SOCIAL WATER TARIFF – £300
If you’re on a low income, you may be able to get a social tariff from your water provider.
These vary by company, some companies offer a percentage discount, while others offer a fixed rate.
For example, under South East Water’s Social Tariff scheme your annual bill will be capped at £182.82 (East) or £146.94 (West).
The average water bill is £448 a year, according to Water UK meaning in this case you could save more than £300.
7. SOCIAL BROADBAND TARIFF – £300
Most broadband companies have social tariffs, which are usually available to people who claim Pension Credit.
The amount you’ll save varies, though it can be worth hundreds of pounds as one woman previously revealed.
There’s a list of all the providers with social tariffs on telecoms regulator Ofcom’s website.
8. FREE TV LICENCE – £169.50
If you’re over 75 and get Pension Credit, you can get a free TV licence. which costs £169.50 a year.
You also get the benefit if you live with a partner who gets Pension Credit.
Apply for a free licence online or by phoning TV licensing on 0300 790 6071.
9. WARM HOME DISCOUNT – £150
Half of people entitled to the Warm Home Discount are not claiming, meaning up to 2.5million are missing out on £150 a year.
This is largely due to eligible people not claiming pension credit as the “gateway” benefit.
The support is a one-off deduction off your electricity bill made between October and March each year.
The money isn’t paid to you, but is applied as credit on your bill.
It’s automatic in the vast majority of cases, but due to the way the scheme operates, certain households have to apply for the rebate.
10. HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND – £100s
Struggling households can get help with the cost of living via the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The fund has been extended for the sixth time, with £421million set to be made available to regional councils to distribute.
The support you can access depends on where you live, but funds can be paid out through shopping or fuel vouchers, cash payments, or other means.
For example, households in Reading who are no longer eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment but in receipt of council tax reduction and/or housing benefit are to be sent a voucher worth £200.
Meanwhile struggling residents and families who live in Torridge can apply for free cash grants directly to bank accounts worth £100s.
These grants can be used to help households with their energy and water bills.
Others may be eligible for cash vouchers to be spent on food at their local supermarket.
Check with your local council to find out what you could be entitled to.
11. COLD WEATHER PAYMENTS – £25
In addition to the Winter Fuel payment, people on Pension Credit are also eligible for cold weather payments.
These ad-hoc payments are worth £25 every time the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0 degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days.
12. FREE DENTAL TREATMENT – £26.80
You’re entitled to free dental treatment if you or your spouse receives the Guarantee Element of Pension Credit.
The exact amount you can save depends on whether you need extra work. At the minimum, you’ll save the cost of a check-ups which is £26.80 on the NHS.
Crowns cost as much as £319.10, meaning that you can make big savings if you need extra work.
13. DWP CHRISTMAS BONUS – £10
Every year the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) gives people a bit of extra cash.
Eligible households will get a £10 Christmas bonus this year.
Although it may seem like a small amount, every little helps over the costly holiday season.
As the £10 is a bonus, it won’t need to be repaid, and it won’t affect any other benefit you receive.
The payment is usually paid in the first full week of December.
You’ll qualify if you get the state pension, pension credit and other means-tested benefits.
The £10 Christmas bonus is paid automatically so you don’t need to claim it.
You’ll get it paid into the same account where you normally receive your benefit payments and it should show up in your statement as “DWP XB” or something similar.
History of the Christmas bonus
THE Christmas bonus was first introduced in 1972.
Initially set at £10, the bonus was intended to help with the additional costs that come with Christmas, such as gifts and festive meals.
Despite inflation and the rising cost of living over the decades, the amount of the Christmas bonus has remained unchanged since its inception.
If the payment had risen in line with inflation, it would now be worth a bumper £114.95 – enough to cover the cost of a big shop for the family.
While the value of £10 has significantly diminished over the years, the Christmas Bonus continues to be a small but welcome addition to many people’s incomes during the holiday period.
14. FREE PRESCRIPTIONS – £9.90
Once you reach 60, you can get free prescriptions from your local pharmacy – prescriptions usually cost £9.90 each in England.
So if you usually buy a single prescription each month you could save £118.80 over the year.
This benefit is automatic and there’s no need to apply.
If you’re 60 or over you’re also entitled to a free NHS sight test, so you should let your optician know when you reach 60 if you haven’t already.
Eye tests can usually cost between £20 and £30.
