Pensioners urged to claim for Pension Credit or risk missing payment
Age NI is warning the elderly to act now or risk missing out on the £650 pounds cost-of-living payment
A leading older people’s charity is urging pensioners to check if they are entitled to Pension Credit to be able to claim the £650 cost-of-living payment announced by the Chancellor in May.
AGE NI has said the qualifying date was May 25, so many pensioners will have thought this ruled them out, however there is a window of opportunity to back-date a claim if it’s lodged by August 18.
To be eligible for the cost-of-living payment people must have been entitled to Pension Credit (or later found to be entitled to a payment) in the period 26 April – 25 May 2022.
The charity said because a successful application for Pension Credit can be backdated by three months, those who begin the claiming process before 18th August will still meet the eligibility criteria.
The charity has said elderly people are missing out on millions in benefits and support every year and is encouraging them to contact its specialist advice team to help check entitlement without delay.
As well as providing a much-needed income boost and automatically qualifying them for the government’s cost-of-living Payment, Pension Credit also opens the door to a wide range of additional support according to the charity.
What other benefits could a pensioner be entitled to?
- A Cold Weather Payment of £25, paid automatically when the average temperature is 0°C or below over seven consecutive days
- A free TV licence (if over-75)
- Free NHS dental treatment and help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital
- Help with rent and domestic rates
- Cheaper broadband deals (depends on provider)
Brenda Kearns, Head of Age NI’s Advice and Advocacy service, said: “Some people will have heard the qualifying date in May, and thought they had missed the boat, but it’s not too late. Because Pension Credit can be backdated by three months, there is still a window of opportunity for older people on lower incomes to qualify for this payment if they act before the 18th of August.
“We’re urging people to get in contact with us and get help to make their claim without delay, so they don’t miss out.
“Pension Credit not only gives a significant boost to people’s weekly income; it also opens the door to a wealth of extra support including help with rates, a free TV licence, dental care and other discounts.
“It’s also been the benefit used to determine which older people qualify for other local energy support payments made by the Department for Communities. Many pensioners are missing out on this – and other welfare payments - and may not even be aware they’re eligible for it.”
According to the organisations the average successful claimant supported through Age NI’s free Advice Line is around £2,500 better off a year, with many receiving a lot more.
Each year the groups expert advice team helps older people receive over £1million of unclaimed benefit.
Brenda added: “The claiming process can be daunting and we’re here to help people through it step by step. The sooner people act, the sooner they’ll find out if they are eligible. Our service is free and confidential, so there’s nothing to lose in making the call and doing a check. The extra money can be life-changing, especially at the current time.”
How can I contact Age NI’s Advice line?
Age NI’s Advice line number is 0808 808 7575 and operates Mon-Fri (9am-5pm) excluding Bank Holidays. Alternatively, people can visit
www.ageni.org/moremoney where there is an information guide (More Money in Your Pocket) and a free and anonymous Benefits Calculator, which can provide an estimate of the benefits that people could be entitled to.
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