TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR OLDER PEOPLE TO QUALIFY FOR £650 COST-OF-LIVING PAYMENT

Age UK urges all pensioners on a low income to put in a claim for Pension Credit now or risk missing out on £650 of extra help towards the cost of living this year.

Older people have until Thursday 18^th August to put in a claim for Pension Credit in order to qualify for the Government’s £650 cost-of-living payment. Age UK is urging all older people who are struggling to make ends meet and who are not already in receipt of Pension Credit to put in a claim without delay, so they don’t risk missing out.

Announced as part of a support package in May, the government’s Cost of Living Payment will be paid to those in receipt of Pension Credit (and other qualifying benefits) in two lump sums of £326 and £324 – the first will be paid automatically between mid-end July and the second will be paid in the Autumn.

To be eligible for the first lump sum, older people must have been entitled to a Pension Credit payment (or later found to be entitled to payment) in the period 26 April – 25 May 2022. Because a successful application for Pension Credit can be backdated by three months, those who begin the claiming process before 18^th August are guaranteed to meet the eligibility criteria.

That’s why Age UK is stepping up its call for people to put in a claim for this essential benefit. As well 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 including:

• A Cold Weather Payment of £25, paid automatically when the average temperature is 0°C or below over seven consecutive days
• £140 off electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount Scheme (if eligible)
• A free TV licence (if over 75)
• Free NHS dental treatment and help towards the cost of glasses and travel to the hospital
• Help with Council Tax and rent
• Cheaper phone and home broadband deals
• Reduced water bills
• An extra amount of Pension Credit for some carers worth up to £37.70 a week 

As part of Age UK’s, ‘It Doesn’t Add Up’ cost-of-living campaign, the Charity is urging any older person living on a low income or struggling with their bills to contact Age UK’s free Advice line on 0800 169 65 65 without delay to check they’re receiving all the financial support available to them. Alternatively, people can visit www.ageuk.org.uk/money or contact their local Age UK for further information and advice.

Age UK also hosts a free and anonymous Benefits Calculator, available via www.ageuk.org.uk which can provide an estimate of the benefits that people could be entitled to.

To make a claim for Pension Credit, people should call the DWP Pension Credit claim line direct on 0800 99 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.  It can be claimed by phone and online.