1. PENSION CREDIT
Pension Credit is a new entitlement for people aged 60 and over.
What is it?
It provides a contribution towards a guaranteed level of income of at least
£102.10 a week for single people aged 60 and over and at least £155.80
for pensioner couples (at least one of whom must be aged 60 or over).
These amounts will be more if you have caring responsibilities, are severely
disabled or have certain housing costs. For pensioners aged 65 and over Pension
Credit also provides a reward for some of the savings and income they have for
their retirement.
Is it for me?
If you are over 60 and your weekly income is less than £140 if you are
single or £200 if you have a partner then you are likely to be eligible
for Pension Credit.
You may still qualify for Pension Credit if your weekly income is higher and
have caring responsibilities, are severely disabled or have certain housing
costs.
How can I find out more?
The Government is writing to pensioner households between April 2003 and July
2004 with more information about Pension Credit to help them decide whether
or not to apply. Full details of how to apply are in the letter.
Further information is available through the Pension Credit section of The Pension
Service website, and in the leaflet, 'Pension Credit Pick it up it’s yours',
also available through The Pension Service website.
2. HOUSING BENEFIT AND COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT
If you're on a low income, you may be able to get help to pay for your rent
and council tax bills. You do not have to be getting any other benefits.
Your local council pays Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. How much you
can get will depend, among other things, on your income and your savings and
how much rent and council tax you are currently paying.
Find out more about Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit on the Department
for Work and Pensions website.
Or you can get leaflets 'GL16 Help with your rent' and 'GL17 Help with your
Council Tax' from the Department for Work and Pensions website, your local council,
pension centre or social security office.
If you live in Scotland
If you live in Scotland and have a severe disability, should contact your local
council for more information about help you can get. You can find more information
in the leaflet 'Council Tax in Scotland: a guide for people who have special
needs and their carers'. You can get this leaflet from local council offices
or local advice centres. You can also write to: Council Tax Enquiries, The Scottish
Executive, Area 3-J, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ, or visit the Scottish
Executive website.
3. WINTER FUEL BENEFITS
If you're aged 60 or over, you could be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment to
help with your heating bills in winter.
Most people get these paid automatically, but to find out if you need to make
a claim, you can contact the helpline through The Pension Service website or
call them on 0845 9 15 15 15 (Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4.3
pm, calls are charged at the local rate).
4. BUDGETING LOANS FROM THE SOCIAL FUND
Budgeting Loans are interest-free and are meant to help spread the cost of
one-off expenses over a longer period.
You can get a Budgeting Loan if you need help to buy items such as furniture,
household goods, clothes, shoes or with expenses such as rent, removal costs
or home improvements. You can also use them for hire purchase and other debts.
Are Budgeting Loans for me?
These loans could be for you if you have been getting Pension Credit and have
been receiving:
· Pension Credit for at least 26 weeks or
· Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (or payment on
account of one of these benefits) for at least 26 weeks or
· a combination of these benefits for at least 26 weeks
Find out more about Budgeting Loans on the Jobcentre Plus website or contact
your social security office. You can also read or print leaflet 'GL18 Help from
the Social Fund' from The Pension Service resource centre.
5. CRISIS LOANS FROM THE SOCIAL FUND
Crisis Loans may help you if you need a specific item or you need short-term
help with living expenses. For example, there may be a fire or you may lose
money through a robbery or burglary and need something to live on until you
get your next pension.
You don't have to be getting benefits to apply for a Crisis Loan.
Find out more about Crisis Loans on the Department for Work and Pensions website
or contact your social security office.
You can also read or print leaflet 'GL18 Help from the Social Fund' from the
DWP resource centre.
6. COMMUNITY CARE GRANTS FROM THE SOCIAL FUND
You can apply for a Community Care Grant if you need help to stay in your own
home, return to your own home from a place where you have been getting care
or ease exceptional pressures on you or your family.
You will need to be getting Pension Credit or likely to get Pension Credit when
you move following a stay in care.
If you're a carer, you can sometimes apply as well.
The conditions for applying are varied, so you should check with your pension
centre or social security office.
Find out more about Community Care Grants on the Department for Work and Pensions
website or read or print leaflet 'GL18 Help from the Social Fund' from our resource
centre.
7. WAR WIDOW’S AND WIDOWER’S PENSION
If your husband's or wife's death was caused by or happened sooner because
of, service in Her Majesty's Armed Forces or a war, you may qualify for a War
Widow's or Widower's Pension under the War Pensions Scheme. You may also be
able to get extra allowances or help with funeral costs.
Find out more about War Widow's or Widower's Pensions on the Veterans Agency
website or phone the Veterans Agency's free helpline on 0800 169 22
77.
