by A grandmother has revealed a ‘little known’ benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which boosts her annual income by almost £4,000.
Yvonne Bailey is claiming Pension Credit from the DWP which she says has made a ‘huge difference’ to her life. This is a benefit aimed specifically at people of state pension age who are on a low income.
The 78-year-old found out she was eligible for the benefit 13 years ago after getting advice from her local Citizens Advice Bureau. If you qualify, Pension Credit increases your weekly income to £201.05 for single people or £306.85 for couples.
Yvonne now receives £210 a week from her state pension plus an extra £78 Pension Credit – her state pension is enhanced as she claims a share from her late husband John, who died 26 years ago. She also collects Disability Living Allowance due to suffering from severe Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis, which gives her an extra £68 a week, taking her weekly income to £356, reports the Mirror.
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Expressing how this income boost affected her life, Yvonne said: “At the time it made a huge difference to my life because it meant I could go out with close girlfriends and have a coffee I have, and go around a garden center and just, enjoy it. It meant I could buy new clothes when I needed them and trousers and practical things like that.”
Yvonne has found that her state pension and pension credit are enough to cover high energy and food costs, as well as her broadband expenses. Pension credit is often referred to as a “gateway benefit” because it opens the door to additional support.
In Yvonne’s case, this includes Housing Benefit and the full council tax discount.
However, the most significant benefit for Yvonne is the free TV license available to anyone aged 75 or over. With the current cost of a TV License at £159, to increase to £169.50 in April, the savings are significant.
The free TV license is just financial relief for Yvonne; she is a rescue against isolation, living alone with only her dog Daisy for company. She said: “It means a lot. Living on my own I have my dog Daisy for company and whether I’m watching TV or not, it’s on because the house doesn’t feel so lonely. It’s like you have people there are conversations in the background so it keeps you connected and keeps your brain active.”
Wanting to help others, Yvonne often speaks about her experience to encourage eligible people to claim what they are entitled to. She said: “This is my way of giving back. I’ve told lots of neighbors and families who are eligible to claim Pension Credit and I’m spreading the word. Go get that money people which is due to you.”
Despite 1.4 million UK pensioners currently receiving Pension Credit, around 900,000 more are eligible but do not claim it. The DWP has highlighted that those claiming Pension Credit could be around £3,900 better off each year.
Joanna Elson CBE, chief executive of Independent Age, highlighted the financial benefits of Pension Credit, saying: “Access to a free TV license when you turn 75 is just one of the many ways Pension Credit can help you save money. As a weekly income, averaging £3,500 a year, Pension Credit entitles you to a range of additional benefits, including help with your housing costs, council tax, energy bills and NHS dental and glasses costs.”
She further emphasized the value of these benefits: “At Independent Age, we’ve worked out that these extra benefits can be worth up to £8,000 a year, so even if you’re only entitled to an extra penny a week from the Credit Pensions, it’s worth claiming so you can access this extra support According to the latest statistics, up to 880,000 people who are entitled to Pension Credit are currently not getting it.”
Elson also addressed the issue of poverty among seniors and the importance of checking eligibility: “With over 2 million seniors living in poverty, it’s never been more important to check what support is available. If you are over 65 and your weekly income is below £200 as a single person or £300 as a couple, you may be eligible.”
For those wanting to apply for Pension Credit, she provided guidance: “You can apply for Pension Credit online on the Gov.uk website here , by calling 0800 99 1234, or by print out and complete a paper application form. You can also ask a friend or family member to call you, but you will need to be with them when they do.”
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