A grandmother has revealed a ‘little-known’ Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit that boosted her annual income by nearly £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 specifically for people of state pension age and low income.
The 78-year-old discovered he was eligible for the benefit 13 years ago following advice from his local Citizens Advice Bureau. If you qualify, Pension Credit will increase your weekly income to £201.05 for singles and £306.85 for couples.
Yvonne now receives £210 a week from the state pension and an additional £78 in Pension Credit – her state pension being increased because she received some of the wages of her late husband John, who died 26 years ago. He also receives Disability Living Allowance for Fibromyalgia and severe Osteoarthritis, which earns him an extra £68 a week and takes his weekly income up to £356, the Mirror reports.
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Explaining how this increase in income affected her life, Yvonne said: “It made a huge difference to my life at the time because it meant I could go out for a coffee with my close girlfriends, wander around a garden center and just have fun. It meant I could buy practical things like clothes, trousers and so on.”
Yvonne found that the state pension and pension credit were sufficient to cover rising energy and food bills, as well as broadband costs. Pension credit is often referred to as the “gateway benefit” because it opens the door to additional support.
For Yvonne this includes Housing Benefit and full council tax relief.
But the most important advantage for Yvonne is the free TV license available to anyone aged 75 and over. Considering the current cost of the TV License is £159 and will rise to £169.50 in April, the savings are significant.
The Free TV License is more than just financial relief for Yvonne; Living alone with her lonely dog, Daisy, is a lifeline against isolation. She shared: “This means so much. I live alone, my dog Daisy keeps me company, and whether I’m watching TV or not, the house is open because it doesn’t feel so lonely. It’s like you have people with you.” there’s chatter in the background so you stay connected and keep your brain active.”
Eager to help others, Yvonne often speaks from her experience to encourage eligible individuals to claim their rights. She said: “This is my way of giving back. I’ve told many neighbors and families who are eligible for Pension Credit and I’m spreading the word. Come on guys, get the money you’re owed.”
Although there are currently 1.4 million pensioners in the UK receiving Pension Credit, around 900,000 more people are eligible but have not yet claimed the credit. The DWP has highlighted that Pension Credit claimants could be around £3,900 better off each year.
Joanna Elson CBE, chief executive of Independent Age, highlighted the financial benefits of Pension Credit and said: “Accessing a free TV license when you reach 75 is just one of the many ways Pension Credit can help you save money. On your average weekly income of £3,500 per 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 spectacle costs.”
He also highlighted the value of these benefits: “At Independent Age we’ve determined these extra benefits can be worth up to £8,000 a year, so even if you’re only eligible for a penny a week in Pension Credit, it’s worth claiming so you can access this additional support. See the latest statistics “Accordingly, nearly 880,000 people who are eligible to receive Pension Credit are currently not receiving this credit.”
Elson also touched on the issue of poverty among older people and the importance of checking eligibility: “With more than 2 million older people living in poverty, it has never been more important to check what support is available. If you are over 65 and your weekly income is £200 as a single or double If it’s around £300 you may qualify.”
He gave the following guidance to those wishing to apply for Pension Credit: “You can apply for Pension Credit online via the Gov.uk website, by calling 0800 99 1234 or by printing and completing a paper application form. You can also: Have a friend or family member call you, but You will need to be there for them when they make the call.”
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