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Some benefits are significantly underclaimed, yet could boost pensioners’ income by thousands.<\/p>\nSome benefits are significantly underclaimed, yet could boost pensioners’ income by thousands.<\/p>\n
12:19, 28 May 2025Updated 12:19, 28 May 2025<\/p>\n
Some benefits are significantly underclaimed, yet could boost pensioners’ income by thousands.<\/p>\n
State pensioners over 66 – so born in 1959 or before – can claim other Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits. Some benefits are significantly underclaimed, yet could boost pensioners’ income by thousands.<\/p>\n
Other DWP benefits are on offer to those aged 66 and over, with an eye-watering \u00a323billion worth going unclaimed each year, according to a report by Policy in Practice.<\/p>\n
Data published in January by the Fabian Society revealed that nearly two million pensioners in the UK are currently living in poverty, many of whom may be missing out on vital financial support to which they are entitled.<\/p>\n
READ MORE UK set to sizzle in ‘glorious’ 27C mini-heatwave with 33 counties in England hit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Amid speculation the government could u-turn and row back on a \u00a3300 Winter Fuel Payment axe, state pensioners are being urged to check their entitlements and get claims in for free perks and handouts that could supplement their income.<\/p>\n Attendance Allowance – \u00a3440 a month<\/strong><\/p>\n Consider applying for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and require help or supervision throughout the day, or at times during the night – even if you’re not currently receiving that help.<\/p>\n Situations where you might need help include:<\/p>\n You should also consider applying if you face challenges with personal tasks, for instance, if they take an unusually long time, cause pain, or you need physical support, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn’t limited to those with a physical disability or illness.<\/p>\n Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit – \u00a3905 a month<\/strong><\/p>\n The level of your disability will affect the amount of benefit you may get. This will be assessed by a \u2018medical advisor\u2019 on a scale of 1 to 100%. Normally you must be assessed as 14% disabled or more to get the benefit.<\/p>\n You may be able to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) if you were employed when the accident or event happened or you were on an approved employment training scheme or course when the accident or event happened.<\/p>\n You may be eligible if the work accident or event that caused your illness or disability happened in England, Scotland or Wales.<\/p>\n Pension Credit – \u00a31,384 a month<\/strong><\/p>\n Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to \u00a3227.10 if you\u2019re single or your joint weekly income to \u00a3346.60 if you have a partner. When you reach state pension the benefits you are entitled to change.<\/p>\n It tops up the income of pensioners on lower earnings. The exact value will depend on your income but DWP<\/a> says the average reward is worth more than \u00a33,900 a year.<\/p>\n It’s not difficult to apply for Pension Credit, you can do it up to four months before you reach state pension age through the government website or by calling 0800 99 1234.<\/p>\n Carer\u2019s Allowance – \u00a3332 a month<\/strong><\/p>\n The current rate is \u00a383.30 a week, and people can be eligible if they earn \u00a3196 a week or less. In April 2024 the Guardian revealed that tens of thousands of unpaid carers were still inadvertently running up massive overpayments each year, hundreds of whom had been prosecuted for fraud. Scores of carers contacted us, each with vivid and harrowing tales to tell.<\/p>\n A DWP spokesperson said: \u201cWe understand the huge difference carers make, as well as the struggles so many face. The carer\u2019s allowance overpayment rate is now the lowest on record and we are increasing funding and bringing in more staff to check 100% of alerts to help prevent carers falling into debt.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we want to go further. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve launched an independent review of carer\u2019s allowance, to explore how earnings-related overpayments have happened and what changes can be made.\u201d<\/p>\n Housing benefit<\/strong><\/p>\n Housing Benefit is money to help you with your housing costs if you are on a low income. Housing Benefit can be used to help pay for rent as well as some service charges. You cannot claim the benefit for help with mortgage payments. Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit<\/a> which means new claims are not being accepted. However, you can make a new claim if:<\/p>\n Council Tax Reduction – \u00a3230 a month<\/strong><\/p>\n You may be entitled to a council tax reduction if you claim certain benefits such as Pension Credit. The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2025\/26 is \u00a32,280. In some cases, you may be entitled to 100% off your bill.<\/p>\n Because council tax is paid in 10-monthly instalments, it works out at around \u00a3230.<\/p>\n\n
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