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State pensioners feeling the financial pinch of the festive season are being given a helping hand to the tune of £8,837 worth of freebies and discounts in December.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a reminder to pensioners to submit an application for Pension Credit this month as the benefit opens the door to a vast array of other support.
Pension Credit alone is worth £3,900 per year on average, but it also grants access to this year’s £300 Winter Fuel Payment – which thousands are missing out on after Labour changed the eligibility criteria to make it means tested.
Pensioners have up until December 21 to apply for Pension Credit to then in turn secure their Winter Fuel Payment.
Not only that, if you get the benefit you can also qualify for help with housing costs, Council Tax discounts, a free TV licence and NHS treatment costs.
Additionally, the DWP will also start paying a Christmas Bonus to pensioner households from Monday, adding an extra £10 to the coffers.
If you’re in need of a cash boost this Christmas, now is the time to check what you’re eligible for and submit a claim for extra help as you could be missing out on up to £8,837 worth of support.
Christmas Bonus – £10
The Christmas Bonus is a one-off tax free payment made before Christmas to people claiming certain benefits in the first full week of December.
The qualifying benefits include State Pension, Pension Credit, Pension Age Disability Payment, Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), among others.
If you’ve been claiming one of the eligible benefits between December 2 and 8 the DWP will issue the £10 bonus payment to you automatically in the first week of this month.
Pension Credit – £3,900
Pension Credit is worth around £3,900 per year and awarded to those over State Pension age and on a low income. It tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single, or your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner, and serves as a gateway to a wealth of other benefits. If you qualify for it, you could also get:
Winter Fuel Payment – £300
Pension Credit claimants will qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment which is worth up to £300. The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between the qualifying week of September 16 and 22, 2024.
Council Tax discount – £1,600
If you claim Pension Credit you can also get a council tax discount. The exact amount you’ll get depends on your local council, but it can be anything from around £300 for a 25% reduction on a typical Band D bill up to around £1,600 for a 100% discount.
Free TV Licence – £169.50
Anyone aged 75 and over and claiming Pension Credit can get £169.50 off their TV Licence bill, cutting it down to £0.
Heating bills discount – £150
Pension Credit entitles you to help with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount scheme, which provides a £150 off your electricity bill. The discount is automatically applied to your bill by your electricity supplier by March 31, 2025.
Free NHS prescriptions – £9.90
Pension Credit entitles you to help with free NHS prescriptions, which cost £9.90 per item in England. The charge applies to each different medicine or medical appliance.
Free eye care – up to £215
If you get any of the Guarantee element of Pension Credit then you will be entitled to get help with NHS eye care, including a voucher for glasses or contact lenses. According to Martin Lewis’ MSE this could be worth up to £215, depending on your prescription.
Free NHS dental treatment – up to £1,000
Pensioners who qualify for the Guarantee element of Pension Credit are entitled to free NHS dental treatment, including anything from a simple check up to full dentures. According to Martin Lewis’ MSE this could amount to up to £1,000 worth of free treatment per year.
Housing Benefit – £1,000
If you rent your home and you get the Guarantee element of Pension Credit then you are also eligible for the maximum Housing Benefit entitlement from your local council. This isn’t a fixed amount, but Martin Lewis’ MSE says you could get around £1,000 per year, and potentially have your rent paid in full.
Royal Mail redirection discount – £24
Pension Credit also entitles claimants to a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house. The service normally costs £84, but you’ll only have to pay £60 – giving you a saving of £24.
Cold Weather Payment – £25
If the temperature where you live drops to 0C or below for seven consecutive days, you’ll be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment. This is automatic if you’re on an eligible benefit such as Pension Credit, Income Support or Universal Credit.
Attendance Allowance – £434
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you and is worth £72.65 per week for the lower rate or £108.55 per week for the higher rate.
If you have a severe disability which means you require regular assistance day and night, you could claim the higher amount. There are a total of 56 categories of conditions which could make you eligible. If you get the higher rate this would be worth around £434 in December alone.