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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
People over state pension age may be due benefits worth thousands
There are a range of discounts, benefits, and grants available to those over the state pension age - and you could be eligible without even knowing it There are 13 million people over the state pension age of 66 in the UK. But only 1.7 million receive the full new state pension of £230.25 per week. As a result, potentially millions may be unaware of the additional support, benefits and discounts they are owed. The official MoneyHelper website has compiled a list of bonuses that could supplement your retirement income, without affecting state pension payments, as reported by the Daily Record. One of the first points to check is your state pension. Recent errors have resulted in people being underpaid by thousands in their state pensions, so checking your National Insurance record could provide a hefty increase in your retirement income. You need a full 35 years of National Insurance contributions to receive the £230.25 per week and at least 10 to qualify for any of the new state pension. If you are not receiving the full state pension amount, you might be eligible for Pension Credit. This income supplement can add £4,300 each year and also grants access to a variety of other benefits and discounts, such as a free TV licence for those over 75. provides a Pension Credit calculator which can help determine if you're eligible for this support. Currently, Pension Credit is one of the most underclaimed benefits, with eligible individuals missing out on approximately £1.5 billion each year. A variety of health benefits are available to help cover the extra costs associated with illnesses and disabilities, some of which are exclusively for individuals over the state pension age. If you claimed PIP or DLA before reaching the state pension age, you might still be eligible to continue getting your award until it expires. On the other hand, Attendance Allowance is made specifically for disabled or ill people over the state pension age. It can range from £73.90 to £110.40 per week, depending on the level of assistance or supervision required. Beyond the benefits system, there are numerous discounts available for those over the state pension age. This includes assistance with council tax, regardless of whether you rent or own your property. If you receive a disability or carer's benefit or the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, you could be entitled to a larger council tax reduction. The latter might even cover your entire council tax bill. Another discount available to those over the state pension age is a free passport. To qualify, you must have been born on or before 2 September 1929 and be a British national. Lastly, a variety of travel concessions and schemes are available to those aged 60 and above. These include the 60+ London Oyster photocard, the Freedom Pass, Senior Railcards and free bus passes.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Drivers warned over traffic light rule could land you with £1,000 fine
Motorists are being reminded of the rules when it comes to being on their mobile phones at traffic lights or while stuck in congestion Drivers have been warned against a prevalent bad habit that could land them a hefty £1,000 fine. The habit in question is checking your phone while waiting at traffic lights or stuck in traffic congestion, which is punishable by law. According to using your mobile phone or sat nav while not being "safely parked" can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 and a driving ban. The law states that it is an offence to hold and operate a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that transmits or receives data while driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle. As such, it is prohibited to use a handheld device for any purpose, regardless of whether it is connected to the internet or not, including texting, making calls, taking photos or videos, or browsing the internet. A widespread misconception is that this law does not apply when stopped at traffic lights, but this is not the case, reports the Express. The law applies even if you are: Stuck in a traffic jam Supervising a learner driver Operating a vehicle that automatically switches off the engine when stationary Holding and using a device that's offline or in flight mode If found guilty of any of the above, you could face six penalty points on your licence and a fine of £200. The repercussions are more severe for novice drivers. If you have passed your driving test within the last two years, you risk losing your licence. In some instances, you may also be summoned to court, where you can: Face a driving or riding ban Receive a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 if you're operating a lorry or bus) Exceptions There are some exceptions to these rules. You are permitted to use a handheld device if: You need to dial 999 or 112 in an emergency and it's unsafe or impractical to stop You're safely parked You're making a contactless payment in a stationary vehicle, such as at a drive-through restaurant You're using the device to remotely park your vehicle. The Government website states: "You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times. "The police can stop you if they think you're not in control because you're distracted and you can be prosecuted." In addition to mobile phones and sat navs, smart watches are another item that motorists are prohibited from using whilst driving. They're great for having access to instant communication, tracking fitness and even for navigation to help you find where you need to be. But because they can send and receive data like a phone, they should never be used in the car while driving. There are no laws around using a smartwatch while driving, but similar to other devices, drivers must not look at any electronic devices that can send or receive data while motoring.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
How long are passport waiting times ahead of Scottish summer holidays?
Passport application time can vary between person to person and also when you submit your application. Applying for a new passport can be a stressful time, especially if you are due to jet off on holiday soon. The worry of your passport not arriving before you are due to fly can be enough to make you pay extra to guarantee its quick arrival. However, to ease any stress and worry, travellers are urged to check the latest passport rules and guidance and order their new travel document well in advance. Passport application times vary from person to person and depend on what type of document you are applying for and also when you submit your application. First time passports can take longer as you may have to submit extra paperwork and also bank holidays can delay when your application is processed. Guidance offered by says due to processing times in the UK, you'll usually get your passport "within 3 weeks." The Passport Office adds "It may take longer than 3 weeks if we need more information, or we need to interview you. We'll tell you this within 3 weeks." However, there are different turnaround times if you are applying from another country. Whether you are applying from abroad or the UK. The processing time starts from when the passport office receives your documents. Some people may need a passport more urgently in some circumstances when they are due to travel imminently. If you need a passport urgently, You can pay for the service if you think the standard service will take too long. You are required to arrange an appointment at a passport office for an urgent passport. Passport office appointments usually last up to 10 minutes and you can book an appointment up to 3 weeks in advance, reports Liverpool Echo. There are two ways to apply for an urgent passport. They are explained below: 1 day premium The earliest you can get an appointment is 2 days after you apply. You'll need to hand in your old passport at your appointment. Your new passport will be ready to collect from the passport office 4 hours after your appointment. You can only use this service to renew an adult passport. It costs £207.50 (or £219.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport). 1 week fast track The earliest you can get an appointment is the next day after you apply. Your new passport will be delivered to you by courier 1 week after your appointment. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. You can use this service to: renew a passport change personal details on your passport (for example your name, place of birth or gender) replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport get a child passport It costs: £166.50 for an adult passport (or £178.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport) £135.50 for a child passport (or £147.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport) The government say: "You'll be asked some questions to work out what services you're eligible for. You can then book an appointment, apply and pay." You'll need your old passport, a digital photo of yourself and a credit or debit card. This month the government announced that the price of passports will be increasing. This applies to new and replacement ones. The proposals, which are subject to approval by Parliament, will include the following: the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £88.50 to £94.50 for adults and £57.50 to £61.50 for children postal applications will increase from £100 to £107 for adults and £69 to £74 for children the fee for a Premium Service (1 day) application made from within in the UK will rise from £207.50 to £222 for adults and £176.50 to £189 for children the fee for a standard online application when applying from overseas for a UK passport will rise from £101 to £108 for adults and £65.50 to £70 for children overseas standard paper applications will increase from £112.50 to £120.50 for adults and £77 to £82.50 for children.
Daily Record
24-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
'I just realised I got Universal Credit when I wasn't eligible - what do I tell the DWP?'
Months after their benefits ended, one person realised they may have accidentally committed fraud Universal Credit claimants need to keep the DWP updated on a range of personal circumstances in order to keep their benefit and ensure they are getting the right amount. But one recipient accidentally slipped through the cracks. Posting on Reddit for advice, the person explained their situation, according to Birmingham Live: "I was on UC for two years, the latter year my boyfriend moved in with me. It had been so long since I initially signed up for UC that I didn't realise that living together would impact my benefits. "I thought it was only if you were married and I guess I never corrected myself. I've been off UC for about six months and I only realised today that we should've filed for a joint claim. "As he was earning £25k whilst studying, I believe I wouldn't have got any money. I'm worried about this catching up to me legally. I work in the social sector now so have to renew my DBS, I don't exactly want fraud to be on there!" Commenters on the platform urged the Redditor to come clean to the DWP and brace for the fallout, with one advising: "If you're honest and explain it was a genuine mistake, they're usually a lot more tend to go easier on people who come forward on their own." Being paid more benefit than you're actually entitled to is known as an overpayment. It can happen due to various factors, like errors on the part of the DWP or misreporting by claimants or their employers. The charity Turn2Us said: "You will always have to repay overpayments under the Universal Credit system. It does not matter what caused the overpayment. "If you think you are being paid too much benefit you should tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) straight away. This is because the longer you leave it the more money you will have to pay back." Typically, these debts are docked from future benefit payments. However, if you're not receiving benefits and still owe money to the DWP, repayment could be directly taken from your wages or your case might be handed over to an independent debt collector or the DWP's own Debt Enforcement Squad. In cases similar to the Redditors, civil penalties can also be levelled. This often involves a charge of £50 for every instance of overpayment, which is then added to the sum total that needs to be returned. A full year's sum of Universal Credit can represent a considerable amount, potentially challenging for many to return in a single payment. The website advises individuals who face difficulties repaying their debt or wish to renegotiate their repayment plan to reach out to the DWP Debt Management contact centre for assistance. Further details can be found here.
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Big change to services for Universal Credit households this weekend – check how you're affected
The public has been encouraged to check their local Job Centre's opening times PLEASE HOLD Big change to services for Universal Credit households this weekend – check how you're affected Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit and other benefits are being warned of a big change coming on Monday. Jobcentre Plus offices and phone lines are closed on bank holidays so will be shut on Monday May 25. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Offices and phone lines will be closed on Monday Credit: Alamy Jobcentre Plus offices and the National Jobcentre Enquiry Line are usually closed on weekends too. Phone lines and offices are expected to reopen on Tuesday, May 26. Some branches may be open on Saturdays so it's worth checking your nearest branches opening hours. Jobcentre Plus branches provide a range of services helping jobseekers, long-term sick or disabled people find employment or claim benefits. The government-funded employment agency and social security office, is found in most cities and towns. It was was formed when the Employment Service merged with the Benefits Agency. It was renamed to Jobcentre Plus in 2002 and is part of the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions). The bank holiday on Monday will also see benefit payment dates altered. This is because payments are usually made the first working day before a bank holiday. Remember, if you are paid early you'll need to make the money last longer as you'll have to wait extra days until your next payment. If you are expecting an early payment and don't get it double check the dates you are usually paid and contact your bank. If you need further help or assistance you must contact the DWP. How does work affect Universal Credit? Complaints about unpaid benefits can be filed with the DWP. You can go to for more information. OTHER BENEFIT CHANGES The Government hikes benefit payments every year to keep up with the cost of food and other essentials. Benefit payments have recently risen for millions, including for those on Universal Credit and Carer's Allowance. How much yours could rise by depends on your personal circumstances. We've got a full breakdown of benefit increases here. You can also see the new rates for the 2025/26 year via
