Times are difficult for many at the moment with the cost of living crisis, but it can be worse for pensioners. As such, the government has put in place several schemes to help those who are struggling with bills.
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According to Express if you are claiming Pension Credit and are on disability benefits like Attendance Allowance or the middle or highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, on PIP or Adult Disability Payment, you may be eligible for extra payments.
The DWP revealed that the number of people on Pension Credit is at its highest since 2010 but roughly 850,000 pensioners could be missing out.
You could get an extra £76 a month
As per Express, if you are claiming a Pension Credit and are on disability benefits like Attendance Allowance or the middle or highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, on PIP or Adult Disability Payment, you could be entitled to an extra Pension Credit of £76.40 a month.
Moreover, if you are on Pension Credit and you also get Carer’s Allowance, you could also get an extra £42.75 a month. You could also get the extra payment if you are entitled to Carer’s Allowance but aren’t getting paid for it, or if you are being paid at a lower rate due to other benefit payments.
Pension Credit offers a range of benefits
Pension Credit can also offer pensioners a wide range of help including housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax. Additionally, those over the age of 75 are entitled to a free TV licence as per Daily Record.
If you want to see if you are eligible for this extra payment, the easiest way is to use the online Pension Credit calculator on the Government website. You can also call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday.
Pensions minister Laura Trott MBE MP said previously:
We recognise the challenges some pensioners will be facing with the cost of living which is why we are easing those pressures with measures like Pension Credit, alongside driving down inflation.
Read more:
⋙ Millions to receive extra money from DWP later this year, check if you qualify
⋙ Are you due £300? Cost of living eligibility and start date of payments
Sources used:
Express: ‘Extra £76 a month being handed to some state pensioners - check your eligibility’
Daily Record: ‘People of State Pension age on disability benefits could be due an extra monthly top-up of £76’