Older people across the UK could save extra money this winter if they’re paying for a TV Licence. Since April of this year, a TV licence costs £169.50 per year. This in turn allows you to watch live tv services as well as BBC services such as iPlayer.
However, some people aged over 75 could scrap this cost altogether and get their TV Licence for free. To do this though means that such people will need to claim Pension Credit.
Pension Credit is a benefit specifically geared to older people aged above the state pension age who also receive a low income. Single-person households can claim £201.05 each week while couples can get £306.85 through the benefit.
Furthermore, Pension Credit can open up a range of other exclusive support options, including a free TV Licence. It is understood that more than 800,000 people currently eligible for Pension Credit are still not claiming it.
Failure to have a TV Licence means that, if caught, you could be fined up to £1,000. However, people don’t need a TV Licence to watch streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4 or My5 – but you will still need one if you’re watching live shows through these services.
Who is eligible for Pension Credit
To determine eligibility for Pension Credit, older individuals or their friends and family can swiftly check their eligibility and get an estimate of potential benefits using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV. UK.
Alternatively, pensioners can directly contact the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Expert assistance and advice is also available.
If you qualify for Pension Credit, you may also be eligible for additional help. In May 2019, the law was altered so that a ‘mixed age couple’ – a pair where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is not – are considered a ‘working age’ couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This implies they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners reach State Pension age. Prior to this DWP change, a mixed age couple could have been eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one partner reached State Pension age.
To use the calculator, details of earnings, benefits and pensions, savings and investments are required.
If you have a partner, their details will also be needed. You will be asked a series of multiple-choice questions.
After answering these, a summary screen will display your responses, allowing you to review and amend any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator will then indicate how much benefit you could receive each week.
Simply click on the link to the application page to discover exactly what you will receive from the DWP, including access to other financial aid. There’s also an option to print your answers from the calculator tool to assist in filling out the application form more swiftly without having to look up the same details again.
Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or a family member to ensure you’re claiming all the financial support you’re entitled to. However, the calculator cannot be used if you or your partner are deferring your State Pension, own more than one property, are self-employed, or have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit.
You can begin your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months.
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