Age UK Benefits Calculator 

BENEFITS CALCULATOR

A fantastic resource for pensioners is to visit Age Uk Website and see all the benefits & entitlements for you to be aware of and try to claim

There are over 50 different benefits to go through.   Their benefits calculator is second to none too.

We recommend that EVERYONE SHOULD MAKE AN APPLICATION with the DWP for possible entitlement to the benefit.

You will get a written response from the DWP saying YEA or NAY.    Nothing ventured ……………………..     Helplines are included

Do Age UK Offer Bathroom Grants ?

Pension Credit

This guarantees a minimum income to those of state pension age by topping up the weekly income to £201.05 for those who are single, and £306.85 for couples.

There is also a Savings Credit for those aged 65 and over.

Pension Credit – Who Can Get It ?

Pension Guarantee Credit is an income based benefit that tops up your income if your existing weekly income is below a certain threshold.

Pension Credit also opens the door to other means tested benefits such as   Free Dental & Eye care &  Free Heating & Insulation Grants etc

You may be able to claim  Pension Credit If Your  Weekly Income Is Below :

Single Person  –    £201.05         –           Joint Couple Claim –  £306.85

To qualify for pension credit you must:

• Live in the UK – England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
• Have reached state pension age.
• Have a weekly income below £201.05  if you’re single, or £306.85  if you’re in a couple.
• If you’re in a couple, you’ll BOTH need to have reached state pension age but you don’t have to be married or in a civil partnership, you’re considered a couple if you live together.

How Do I Claim Pension Credit?

Pension Credit Helpline –     Telephone: 0800 99 1234

Visit The Government website for more info and how to make a claim

Claim Pension Credit

Pensioner Cost of Living Support

Pensioners on  Universal Credit, Pension Credit  will receive a payment of £650 this year, paid automatically in two instalments.

The first payment of £326 was made in summer. The second payment of £324 will be made by DWP to eligible customers between 8 and 23 November, and by HMRC between 23 and 30 November (to customers receiving tax credits only and no other eligible DWP benefits).

This is in addition to the £400 discount on energy bills.   Find out more information

OAPs Help With Energy Bills

There are lots of  help for pensioners with their energy bills.

All the below  payments will greatly help our pensioners this winter.

Do check if you qualify for them.

Energy Bills Support Scheme

All pensioners in Britain will get £400 off their energy bills via the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS).

You don’t have to pay this money back through future bills.

In England, Scotland and Wales, the money will be credited to the accounts of customers who pay by direct debit or with cash or a cheque.

For those on prepayment meters the money will be applied to the meter or sent in vouchers.

One-off payments

These are paid automatically and there’ll be no need to apply.

• a £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment for OAPs  that receive the Winter Fuel Payment. This is a top-up to your Winter Fuel Payment in November/December.
• a £900 Cost of Living Payment for  OAPs on means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit and Universal Credit.
• a £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment for OAPs   receiving disability benefits, such as Attendance Allowance.

Check if you’re eligible for the Disability Cost of Living Payment

Cold Weather Payment

The Cold Weather Payment is a winter fuel allowance granted by the government to those who meet the qualifying criteria. and is to help with their additional heating costs during winter.

A payment of £25 is made for each seven-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March – when the average local temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, freezing (zero Celsius) or below over seven consecutive days.

Check if you’re eligible

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme introduced in 2011  to help tackle fuel poverty and provide people with the financial help  needed to stay warm during the winter months

This autumn nearly three million low-income households are eligible for a £150 rebate on their winter electricity bills.

This one-off payment of £150 is just one of a number of schemes that can offer financial help during the colder months.

Please note that if you are living in a mobile or park home, there is a separate application process.

Warm Home Discount Helpline   0800 731 0214 or   Check with your energy supplier to see if you are eligible

Winter Fuel Payment

This year it will be paid to all those born on or before 5 July 1950. The annual payment can be between £125 and £400 depending on the recipient’s situation, to help pay the increased heating bills of winter. It is different to the Cold Weather Payment.

The Winter Fuel Payment was introduced in 1997 and is an annual tax-free heating allowance of between £100 and £300 made to those over pensionable age who may require assistance with their heating costs during the winter.

The payment  is usually credited to your electricity bill by your supplier, or you will receive a voucher to redeem if you’re a pay-as-you-go customer.

This winter, they will also receive an extra one-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, which will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel Payment.

The winter fuel payment is not means-tested, which means you can still qualify if you’re working or claiming benefits.

Check if you’re eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment

Adult Social Care

Help with paying for care, especially in old age, such as help washing and dressing, is conducted on a council-by-council basis and so the level of assistance depends on where you live.

Attendance Allowance

A tax-free benefit for those aged 65 or over who are physically or mentally disabled and need help to be looked after. There are two rates.

Attendance Allowance rates

Bereavement Support Payment

This depends on your relationship to the person who died

How To Claim – Visit Here For Details

Carer’s Allowance

A taxable benefit for those who look after someone who is disabled. They do not have to be related to, or live with, the person that they care for.

Constant Attendance Allowance

To help those who need daily care, are 100% disabled according to medical examination, and who receive Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or the War Disablement Pension.

Council Tax Benefit

Financial help for those on low incomes to pay their council tax bill.

Personal Independence Payment

A tax-free benefit for disabled people, including children, who have difficulty walking and who need somebody to help look after them.

Employment and Support Allowance

The successor of Incapacity Benefit, it is paid to those with an illness or disability but aims to get them into some kind of work.

Funeral Payments

Help for those on low incomes to pay for a family funeral, but might have to be paid back from the estate of the person who has died.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

The amount depends on individual circumstances, but this is a weekly payment for those made ill or disabled by certain types of work – such as working with asbestos. It covers accidents, disease and deafness. Those who are self-employed are not eligible.

War Disablement Pension

A pension, dependent on the level of injury, for those injured or disabled as a result of service in the Armed Forces, who are no longer serving in the Armed Forces and who were injured in service before 6 April 2005.

Widow’s Pension

Payable weekly at a reduced rate for younger widows, the pension can be paid until the widow reaches 65 but if she retires after reaching state pension age of 60 it will usually be replaced by the state pension.

Council Tax Rebate

If you lie in Council Tax bands A to D in England you’ll get £150 back from your Council Tax bill (4 out of 5 households in England).

For most people the rebate is automatic, however if you don’t pay your Council Tax by direct debit then get in touch with your Council.

More information on the Council Tax rebate

Help paying your Water Bill

Many water companies run hardship schemes or fund independent charitable trusts which can help you pay your bills.

Get support paying your Water Bill

Free Tv Licence For Over 75s

When you are over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit, you can get a free television licence.

Blind or sight-impaired people will get a 50% discount on your TV licence

A certificate from your local authority ophthalmologist to confirm that you are blind or sight-impaired.

TV licensing HELPLINE on 0300 790 6117.

Home Improvement Grants For Disabled Pensioners

Disabled Facilities Grants can help meet the cost of making changes to your home so you or someone you live with can live safely and independently.

Your Local Authority can help with grants to help you continue to go on living independently in your own home.

Help for applying for this grant for adapting your home if disabled and need extra help in your home to manage to live safely.

Council Tax Support

Over 65s can apply for a Council Tax bill reduction if they are on certain means tested benefits/ low income.

Those on Guaranteed Pension Credit may qualify for up to 100% Council Tax Reduction -Contact Your Local Council For Information

Free Bus Pass

The government’s free OAP bus pass provides elderly people with a pass that allows them to use the bus at designated times of the day.

Usually starts from 9.30 am.

Apply for your bus pass when you reach the female age of retirement, whether you are male or female.

Who Is Entitled To a Free Bus Pass ?

In England you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the State Pension age which is currently 66 for men and women.

If you are disabled You’re eligible for a disabled person’s pass if you live in England and are ‘eligible disabled’.

Contact your local council to find out who issues disabled bus passes in your area as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme.

How To Claim  a Free Bus Pass ?

Most bus passes can be applied for online through your local council’s website.

Make sure you have all the right documents when you apply,

Free Prescription Charges

Everyone over the age of 60 in the UK is entitled to free prescriptions

Free Sight Test

Everyone over the age of 60 in the UK is entitled to a free NHS sight test,

NHS Costs – Call 0300 330 1343 for an application form,

Over 60s may also get help with:

• NHS dental treatment
• the cost of glasses or contact lenses
• NHS wigs
• travel costs to NHS treatment

Free Home Improvement Service

Many  local councils are now offering a free home improvement service / free advice  to the most vulnerable people in society who otherwise would not be able to get assistance to make much needed repairs to their property.

These will be people of good standing that have been vetted and approved by your Council.

This service is dedicated to helping over 60s , people with disabilities, and vulnerable people to live in their own homes safely and comfortably.