There are more than a dozen benefits and discounts available for men and women of State Pension age.
age across Great Britain, including over 1.1m living in Scotland. Many of those in retirement rely on the contributory benefit as their main source of income which provides essential financial support of up to £965 every four weeks for 4.1m people in receipt of the New State Pension .
Some 8.8m people who retired before April 2016 also receive up to £739 every payment period through the Basic State Pension. For anyone approaching the official- which has now started rising to 67 - it's important to be aware of certain benefits you can claim from the DWP plus discounts on Council Tax, help with heating costs and more.may not be aware of more than a dozen ways they might be able to boost their current income over the next few months.
Pension Credit is worth £4,300 a year on average and currently takes around 50 working days to process, which would see first payments for successful claimants made this month arrive before the end of August.has compiled a comprehensive list along with quick eligibility checks to ensure older people are accessing essential support in later life.
The easiest way to check eligibility for any benefit, discount or reduction is to use an online benefits calculator - find out more about these If you have an older family member or friends who do not have access to the internet, or is not familiar with using a computer, give them a hand to ensure they are not missing out on Help with heating costs - eligibility for some may require a relevant qualifying means-tested benefitThe State Pension gives you a regular taxable income for the rest of your life as soon as you reach State Pension age and make a claim for it. Some people choose to defer this while they continue to work.
It’s not means-tested, but the amount you get depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance Contributions or credits you’ve built up. You need at least 10 years' for any State Pension payment and around 35 for the maximum amount - this may be more for people who were 'contracted out', find out morePension Credit currently gives 1.4m people across the UK - including over 125,000 in Scotland - extra money to help with living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income.
It is a ‘passport’ benefit providing on average around £4,300 this year in financial support, acting as a ‘gateway’ to Council Tax discounts, help with housing costs and NHS discounts along with free TV Licences for the over-75s.for yourself or a family member to make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to. You can also call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234.
Whether you own your home or rent, you could be eligible for support from your local authority to help you pay your Council Tax. Contact your local council to ask about support with Council Tax - find out moreThere are a number of schemes that install insulation and heating improvements to make your home more energy efficient.
You’re likely to be eligible if your home is poorly insulated or doesn’t have a working central heating system, and if you receive any of a range of income-related benefits including Pension Credit. Everyone in Scotland is entitled to free prescriptions.
Find out more about free dental treatment and refunds for travel to hospital appointments - if you’re under State Pension age, if you reached State Pension age while claiming PIP this will continueFree passport If you were born on or before September 2, 1929, and are a British national, you could be eligible for a free passport. Find out more and how to apply on the GOV.
UK websiteYou now have to pay for your TV licence unless you are getting Pension Credit. People over State Pension age may be able to get the TV Licence for half price if they are registered as severely sight-impaired or blind.
If your husband, wife or civil partner died or were injured or became ill as a result of their service in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, or during a time of war before April 6, 2005, you might be entitled to aIf they died or sustained an injury or illness due to serving in a conflict after April 6, 2005, you might be entitled to compensation through the If you need medical treatment because you were disabled while serving in the Armed Forces, you could get help towards your medical costs for your accepted disability. If you were injured or disabled while serving in the Armed Forces before April 6, 2005, you can get extra help towards your pension.
Find out more about War Disablement Pension on the GOV. UK website
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