A grandmother has revealed a ‘little known’ Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit that boosts 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 targeted at people of state pension age who are on low income.
The 78-year-old discovered she was eligible for the benefit 13 years ago following advice from her local Citizens Advice Bureau. If you qualify, Pension Credit increases your weekly income to £201.05 for singles or £306.85 for couples.
Yvonne now receives £210 weekly from her state pension along with an additional £78 Pension Credit – her state pension is enhanced as she claims some of her late husband John’s, who passed away 26 years ago. She also collects Disability Living Allowance due to suffering from Fibromyalgia and severe Osteoarthritis, which gives her an extra £68 per week, taking her weekly income up to £356, , reports the Mirror.
READ: State Pension age will rise to 68 ‘within 10 years’ and ‘won’t come back down’ The State Pension age is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028, with another rise to 68 is planned for between 2044 and 2046
READ: DWP to change PIP rules in crackdown on ‘benefit cheats’ – how it will affect you The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it is set to overhaul Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments
Expressing how this income boost has affected her life, Yvonne said: “At that time it made a huge difference to my life because it meant I could go out with close girlfriends and have a coffee, and go round a garden centre and just, enjoy life. It meant I could buy new clothes when I needed it and trousers and practical things like that.”
Yvonne has found that her state pension and pension credit are sufficient to cover the soaring costs of energy and food bills, as well as her broadband expenses. Pension credit is often referred to as a “gateway benefit” because it opens the door to additional support.
For Yvonne, this includes Housing Benefit and a full council tax discount.
Yet, the most significant advantage for Yvonne is the free TV licence available to anyone aged 75 or over. With the current cost of a TV Licence at £159, set to increase to £169.50 in April, the savings are substantial.
The free TV Licence is more than just a financial relief for Yvonne; it’s a lifeline against isolation, living by herself with only her dog Daisy for company. She shared: “It means a lot. Living alone I’ve got my dog Daisy for company and whether I’m watching TV or not, it’s on because the house doesn’t feel so lonely then. It’s like you’ve got people there chattering in the background so it keeps you connected and keeps your brain active.”
Keen to help others, Yvonne often talks about her experience to encourage eligible individuals to claim what they’re entitled to. She said: “This is my way of giving back. I’ve told a lot of neighbours and family who are entitled to claim Pension Credit and I’m spreading the word. Come on people, get that money that’s owed to you.”
Despite the fact that there are 1.4 million pensioners in the UK currently receiving Pension Credit, around 900,000 more are eligible yet do not claim it. The DWP has highlighted that those who claim Pension Credit could be approximately £3,900 better off each year.
Joanna Elson CBE, chief executive of Independent Age, highlighted the financial benefits of Pension Credit, stating: “Accessing a free TV license when you reach 75 is just one of the many ways Pension Credit can help you save money. As well as an additional weekly income, which is on average £3,500 a year, Pension Credit entitles you to a host of additional benefits, including help with your housing costs, council tax, energy bills and NHS dental and glasses costs.”
She further emphasised the value of these benefits: “At Independent Age, we’ve worked out 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 Pension Credit, it’s worth claiming it so you can access this further support. According to the latest statistics, up to 880,000 people entitled to Pension Credit aren’t currently receiving it.”
Elson also addressed 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’re over 65 and your weekly income is below around £200 as a single person or £300 as a couple, you could be eligible.”
For those looking 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 printing out and filling in a paper application form. You can also get a friend or family member to call for you, but you will need to be with them when they do.”
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email [email protected] Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel
