Brits within a particular age bracket may be eligible for additional financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Many might be unaware they qualify for these funds.
Latest statistics from the DWP reveal that the State Pension currently delivers a reliable source of income to 13 million pensioners throughout the country.
This entitlement is available to people who have reached the UK Government’s State Pension age, presently set at 66 for both genders, and who have accumulated at least 10 years of National Insurance (NI) contributions.
Nevertheless, according to the Daily Record, those aged over 80 who either draw no Basic State Pension or collect less than £105.70 weekly may qualify for extra money to help cover day-to-day expenses. The “Over 80 Pension” presently grants elderly citizens £105.70 each week should they be without any Basic State Pension income, or tops up their existing payment to reach this threshold.
Those on lower incomes beyond the age of 80 might also be eligible for Pension Credit, potentially delivering over £4,300 in extra annual financial assistance.
How to claim the “Over 80 Pension”
It is important to understand that the “Over 80 Pension” cannot be claimed if you attained State Pension age on or following 6 April 2016 – in such cases, you would instead qualify for the New State Pension.
Guidance published on GOV.UK states that eligibility for the over 80 pension requires meeting all these criteria:
- You are 80 or over
- Your Basic State Pension is non-existent or less than £105.70 per week
- You have resided in the UK for a minimum of 10 years out of 20 (these need not be consecutive years) – this 20-year period must encompass the day before your 80th birthday or any subsequent day
- On your 80th birthday or the date you applied for this pension, if later, you were “ordinarily resident” in the UK, the Isle of Man or Gibraltar
Your qualification for the over-80 pension is not dependent upon National Insurance contributions.
How to claim
Application forms are available from either:
- Your local Jobcentre Plus
- The Pension Service
Applications can be submitted up to three months before reaching 80 years of age. To request a claim form from the Pension Service, telephone 0800 731 7898.
Full information is available on GOV.UK here.
Pension Credit
At present, approximately 1.4 million older people throughout Great Britain are in receipt of this means-tested benefit, which could deliver an average of £4,300 in financial assistance over the coming year.
Nevertheless, latest figures from the DWP reveal that more than 700,000 eligible pensioners are failing to claim the support to which they are entitled.
Some older people may incorrectly assume that having savings or owning their home prevents them from accessing the means-tested benefit, which can additionally offer help with accommodation expenses, winter fuel payments and Council Tax. Even a humble award of merely £1 per week can trigger additional support.
Pension Credit boosts weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £227.10 for single pensioners or £346.60 for couples. This tax-free payment is accessible to those who:
- Have attained the Pension Credit qualifying age, equivalent to the State Pension age, and
- Reside in Great Britain
Elderly people, or their friends and family, can promptly check their eligibility and get an estimate of potential benefits using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can directly reach out to the Pension Credit helpline to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
