State pensioners can boost their income with 10 freebies and discounts worth up to \u00a314,214 in July.<\/p>\n
Both the basic and new State Pension<\/a> were uprated by 4.1% in April at the start of the new tax year, meaning pensioners now benefit from increased payments. Those who receive the basic State Pension<\/a> now get up to \u00a3176.45 per week (if you get the full rate), which amounts to \u00a39,175.40 in pension payments over a full year. Meanwhile, those who receive the new State Pension<\/a> get up to \u00a3230.25 per week (again if you get the full rate), which is worth \u00a311,973 across a whole year.<\/p>\n According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP<\/a>), the new 2025\/26 rates amount to an extra \u00a3360 annually for basic State Pension<\/a> claimants, while those on the new State Pension<\/a> will be up to \u00a3470 better off per year. But this is only the case if you get the maximum amount, so if you don’t have enough qualifying National Insurance years<\/a> you’ll get less than this.<\/p>\n While the new State Pension<\/a> rates gives pensioners a bit of extra cash<\/a> in their pocket each month, it is possible for some to boost their income even further by claiming one DWP<\/a> benefit that can unlock a raft of freebies and discounts worth up to \u00a314,214.20.<\/p>\n Pension Credit<\/a> provides \u201ca lifeline\u201d in retirement to pensioners on low incomes, as it provides a gatewway to receiving a wealth of extra financial support, including help with housing costs, Council Tax and the Winter Fuel Payment<\/a> worth up to \u00a3300. It takes only 16 minutes on average to apply and alone it is worth around \u00a34,300 per year on average.<\/p>\n Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London, says: \u201cPeople can apply for Pension Credit any time, and it could be worth over \u00a34,000 a year. Our research shows that many people are missing out because they haven\u2019t checked to see if they qualify.<\/p>\n \u201cThree in ten people over State Pension<\/a> age who were on a low income hadn\u2019t checked to see if they were entitled to Pension Credit, while one in ten pensioners who had been told they qualified for Pension Credit have yet to apply.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can backdate your claim for Pension Credit by up to three months, and the sooner you claim, the sooner you could start receiving payments. Not only that, but, if you\u2019re entitled to Pension Credit, you\u2019ll be able to get extra help with costs such as rent and Council Tax, which could make a big difference.\u201d<\/p>\n So if you\u2019re in need of a financial boost this month, it\u2019s worth checking your eligibility for Pension Credit – plus one other DWP<\/a> benefit – as it could unlock financial support worth up to \u00a314,214.20. Listed are 10 freebies and discounts pensioners could claim in July.<\/p>\n Pension Credit – up to \u00a34,300<\/p>\n The standard minimum guarantee for Pension Credit increased by 4.1% in April taking the single weekly rate up to \u00a3227.10 and the joint weekly rate up to \u00a3364.60. It means that those getting the single rate now get an extra \u00a38.95 per week, while those on the joint rate get an extra \u00a331.65 per week.<\/p>\n Over the course of a year, this provides those who are single with \u00a3465.40 more annually, while couples with a joint weekly income will be \u00a31,645.80 better off per year.<\/p>\n Pension Credit is worth \u00a34,300 extra on average per year and it also unlocks a wealth of other benefits, so if you\u2019re eligible you could also get:<\/p>\n Housing Benefit – \u00a31,000<\/p>\n If you rent your home and you get the Guarantee element of Pension Credit then you\u2019re eligible for the maximum Housing Benefit entitlement from your local council. This isn\u2019t a fixed amount, but Martin Lewis\u2019 MSE says you could get around \u00a31,000 per year, and potentially have your rent paid in full.<\/p>\n Council Tax discount – \u00a31,600<\/p>\n Pension Credit claimants can get a council tax discount. The exact amount you\u2019ll get depends on your local council, but it can be anything from around \u00a3300 for a 25% reduction on a typical Band D bill up to around \u00a31,600 for a 100% discount.<\/p>\n Free TV Licence – \u00a3174.50<\/p>\n Anyone aged 75 and over and claiming Pension Credit can get \u00a3174.50 off their TV Licence bill, cutting it down to \u00a30.<\/p>\n Heating bills discount – \u00a3150<\/p>\n Pension Credit entitles you to help with heating costs through the DWP<\/a>\u2019s Warm Home Discount scheme, which knocks \u00a3150 off your electricity bill. The discount is automatically applied by your electricity supplier by March 31, 2025.<\/p>\n Free NHS prescriptions – \u00a39.90<\/p>\n Claiming Pension Credit will also entitle you to free NHS prescriptions, which cost \u00a39.90 per item in England.<\/p>\n Free eye care – up to \u00a3215<\/p>\n If you get any of the Guarantee element of Pension Credit then you are entitled to help with NHS eye care, including a voucher for glasses or contact lenses. According to Martin Lewis\u2019 MSE this could be worth up to \u00a3215, depending on your prescription.<\/p>\n Free NHS dental treatment – up to \u00a31,000<\/p>\n Pensioners who qualify for the Guarantee element of Pension Credit are also entitled to free NHS dental treatment, including anything from a simple check up to full dentures. According to Martin Lewis\u2019 MSE this could amount to up to \u00a31,000 worth of free treatment per year.<\/p>\n Royal Mail redirection discount – \u00a324<\/p>\n Pension Credit claimants are entitled to a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you\u2019re moving house. The service normally costs \u00a384, but you\u2019ll only have to pay \u00a360 – giving you a saving of \u00a324.<\/p>\n You can start an application for Pension Credit up to four months before you reach State Pension<\/a> age – which is 66 for both men and women – and any time after, but your application can only be backdated by three months. You can apply online via GOV.UK or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.<\/p>\n Attendance Allowance – up to \u00a35,740.80<\/p>\n