Around 910,000 pensioners are missing out on thousands of pounds each year, but many more could be going without other support they are entitled to simply because they don't realise they qualify. A number of benefits and support from the Department for Work and Pensions, the NHS or HMRC are exclusively available to people over a certain age.
The state pension age is currently rising from 66 to 67, with everyone born after March 6, 1961, facing the latter. Money Helper highlighted some specific benefits and support available to people over the state pension age, alongside some other criteria. This can range from monthly Pension Credit payments, which can be worth over £4,000 a year on its own, to some discounted and even free services.
Free prescriptions and eye tests
In England, people over the age of 60 are usually entitled to free prescriptions and eye tests. They may also be eligible for help towards covering the cost of dental treatment, travel costs to hospital and glasses or contact lenses.
Pensioners with physical or mental health conditions or disabilities could qualify for Attendance Allowance as well. This benefit can provide between £76.70 and £114.60 a week depending on the severity of your health condition and how it affects your daily life.
Attendance Allowance and extra support
Attendance Allowance payments can be spent on equipment or help to keep you independent, and claimants don't need to have or even want an attendant in order to qualify. You can also get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get Attendance Allowance. However, it's not available to pensioners in Scotland, who will need to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead.
Pension Credit is one of the most underclaimed benefits in the UK, with around 910,000 eligible pensioners leaving behind £2.5billion in support according to MSE. Many are missing out simply because they believe they earn or save too much to be eligible.
Pension Credit as a gateway benefit
This benefit is designed to support people over the state pension age who are living on a low income. Pension Credit is now worth an average of £4,300 a year in payments alone, but the support doesn't stop here. It's known as a 'gateway benefit' because successfully claiming it can make people eligible for other support too, like free TV licences and help with NHS costs. The Gov.uk website has a Pension Credit calculator to help people find out if they might be eligible and how much they could get.
Winter Fuel Payment changes
Winter Fuel Payment doesn't need to be claimed this year as it's expected to be automatically paid to people over the state pension age. But those who have an income over £35,000 will have the payment clawed back by HMRC through their taxes over the next year. The benefit provides between £100 and £300 as a once-off tax-free payment to help retirees stay warm during the winter months. To be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment you must be over the state pension age, but there are some additional qualifying criteria that have changed over the last few years.
