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Daily Record
20 hours ago
- General
- Daily Record
Older people on Attendance Allowance, PIP or ADP may be due an extra £331 every month
Low-income pensioners on disability benefits, or those providing unpaid care, may be entitled to extra financial support. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? Online guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on explains that if someone of State Pension age on a low income receives Attendance Allowance or the middle or highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Adult Disability Payment (ADP), they may be entitled to extra Pension Credit. This will also include older people in Scotland claiming the new Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). The disability element of Pension Credit is now worth £82.90 per week, which amounts to £331.60 every four-week pay period. Similarly, a couple claiming Pension Credit where one person is claiming a disability benefit, will also receive an extra £82.90 each week and if someone is paid Carer's Allowance they may be entitled to extra weekly Pension Credit of £46.40. Older people may also get this extra Pension Credit if they are entitled to Carer's Allowance but are not being paid it, or being paid it at a lower amount than normal, because they are being paid a higher amount by another, income-related benefit such as the State Pension - more commonly referred to as an 'underlying entitlement'. Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving Pension Credit, which the DWP recently confirmed could provide an average of £4,300 in support during the year ahead. However, the latest figures from the DWP suggest there are still 7600,000 eligible pensioners not claiming the benefit they are entitled to. Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax. Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £227.10 a week for single pensioners or £346.60 for couples. It is a tax-free payment for those who: have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and live in Great Britain Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on here. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are currently open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Expert help and advice is also available from: Independent Age Income Max Citizen's Advice Age UK Pension Credit in a nutshell Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also provide access to a range of other benefits. The benefit tops up income to a minimum of £227.10 per week for single pensioners and £346.60 for couples - more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities. Other help if you get Pension Credit If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as: Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in Council Tax discount Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme and Winter Fuel Payment A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit In May 2019, the law changed so a 'mixed age couple' - a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it - are considered to be a 'working age' couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age. How to use the Pension Credit calculator To use the calculator on you will need details of: earnings, benefits and pensions savings and investments You'll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options. This includes: Your date of birth Your residential status Where in the UK you live Whether you are registered blind Which benefits you currently receive How much you receive each week for any benefits you get Whether someone is paid Carer's Allowance to look after you How much you get each week from pensions - State Pension, private and work pensions Any employment earnings Any savings, investments or bonds you have Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week. All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support. There's also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you're receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim. Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator? You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner: are deferring your State Pension own more than one property are self employed have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit How to make a claim You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months. This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time. your National Insurance number information about your income, savings and investments your bank account details, if you're applying by phone or by post If you're backdating your claim, you'll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start. Apply online You can use the online service if: you have already claimed your State Pension there are no children or young people included in your claim To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Check for unclaimed cash over bank holiday to boost household income by up to £4,300
The bank holiday weekend is the perfect time to make sure you are not missing out on an income top-up. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed earlier this month there are no plans to issue any more cost of living payments in 2025. Between 2022 and 2024, the DWP provided a series of one-off payments to help people cope with the cost of living crisis as energy bills and inflation soared to record-breaking levels. Ofgem announced on Friday that energy bills will fall by seven per cent from July 1, but are still higher than pre-pandemic prices. Inflation rates are also on the rise, jumping from 2.6 per cent in March to 3.5 per cent in April. However, many households could be due an income boost from unclaimed benefits or discounts on Council Tax and setting aside 10 minutes over the bank holiday weekend to use a free, confidential benefits calculator could ease the financial pressure going into summer. People on a low income could be entitled to a saving of up to £850 a year through the Council Tax Reduction scheme, which is only available north of the border. The latest figures from the Scottish Government show 458,470 households (one in five) were eligible for a Council Tax Reduction in December, 2024 - full details on how to claim can be found here. Older people on a low income may be entitled to an income boost, worth on average £4,300, through Pension Credit. The latest figures from the DWP suggest 760,000 people are eligible for the means-tested benefit but not claiming it. Some pensioners think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, however, an award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support. How to check eligibility for Pension Credit Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on here. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are closed on Monday, May 26 and but re-open on Tuesday. Expert help and advice is also available from: Independent Age Income Max Citizens Advice Age UK More details about claiming Pension Credit can be fond on here. People under State Pension age with health conditions could be eligible for Adult Disability Payment or Personal Independence Payment (PIP). A successful claim could be worth between £29.20 and £187.45, some £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. People over State Pension age with health conditions could be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment or Attendance Allowance. A successful claim could be worth either £73.90 or £110.40 per week, some £295.60 or £441.60 every four-week pay period. An online benefits calculator isn't a magic wand to wave away money worries, but it can give you a fairly accurate estimate of how much you could be eligible to claim - but it's up to you to actually make the application. Who should check for unclaimed benefits or discounts? There is a wide range of benefits and payments available you should check for. You should check if: you are temporarily unable to work, including because of ill health you are of working age on a low income You are over State Pension age on a low income you have been made redundant you are looking for work you are raising a family you have a child who is disabled or has a health condition you are disabled or have a health condition you're caring for someone you have lost a loved one What is an online benefits calculator? Online benefit calculators quickly work out if you are missing out on any benefits and best of all, they are completely free, independent and confidential to use - so there's nothing to lose. In just a few minutes you could find out how much you may be able to claim in extra support, just by entering details about yourself, your residential status, your working status and any savings you have. You can use an independent benefits calculator to find out: Where to find help Advice Direct Scotland This online tool is the first to fully integrate devolved benefits including Scottish Child Payment and Adult or Child Disability Payment. It provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, crisis grants and support payments. Find out more here. The benefits calculators below provide information on income-related benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer's Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours. Turn2us Entitledto Policy in Practice What you will need before you start Gather the following information before you start and the whole process should just take about 10 minutes: Savings Income, including your partner's Existing benefits and pensions - including anyone living with you Outgoings - such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments Your latest Council Tax bill
