Martin Lewis has issued a pension warning as almost 300,000 people over 66 are missing out on £4,400 free cash.
In his weekly email, the Money Saving Expert went through the £23 billion in unclaimed benefits, including attendance allowance and council tax support.
He also noted the housing benefit, saying that 294,000 aren’t claiming an average £4,400-a-year rent help.
For those over 66, support for housing costs is part of Universal Credit but not for those of State Pension age. Renters eligible for Pension Credit or on a low income are likely missing out.
If you rent your home and receive any amount of Guarantee Credit, you are eligible for the maximum Housing Benefit entitlement from your local authority.
When you apply for Pension Credit, you can usually apply for Housing Benefit at the same time. If you already get Pension Credit, apply through your council.
You may not get the full amount if there are non-dependants in your household or, for example, if your rent is considered too high.
Also on Martin Lewis’ list of unclaimed benefits was up to £5,800 a year in universal credit, £3,700 a year in attendance allowance, £3,900 a year in pension credit, and free school meals.
He added that claiming benefits is “often a gateway to other discounts”, such as broadband social tariffs, so if you have success claiming, check if you’re eligible.
Simply being on a low income could qualify you for a water social tariff, so check that too, even if you’re not eligible for benefits.
This comes as the inflation figures that the government uses to calculate next April’s benefit rises are announced, with it dropping to 1.7% this month, lower than figures in recent months.
