|
Support for Older People
We know that older people often do not access grants and benefits because they do not know what’s available or how to access it.
Below are just a few ways in which people over 60 can get help. If you would like to discuss any of these in greater detail before applying, call the freephone advice line. 0800 731 5920. We have a welfare rights advisor attached to the centre that can give you free confidential advice.
Retirement Pension
State retirement pension is payable to anyone reaching state pension age and the amount paid is dependant on you/your partner’s National Insurance contributions record. You must apply for state pension as it is not paid automatically and you may want to consider deferring the application for your state pension for a year or more, as this can result in a lump sum payment and a higher rate of weekly entitlement when you do claim. The age of retirement will be changing from 2010. State Pension age is the earliest age at which you can claim your State Pension. It is currently 60 for women and 65 for men.
What are the changes to State Pension age?
The State Pension age for women born on or after 6 April 1950 will increase gradually to 65 between 2010 and 2020.
Choices you have at State Pension age
When you reach State Pension age, you can still work if you want to.
You can:
· stop working and get your State Pension, or
· carry on working and get your State Pension as well, or
· carry on working and defer claiming your State Pension
If you go on working after State Pension age, you don't have to carry on paying National Insurance contributions. There are also higher tax allowances for people over the age of 60
Basic Pension 2010/2011 £97.66 per week
Pension Credit
Pension Credit guarantees every person over the age of 60 a minimum weekly income of:
Single person £132.60 per week
Couple £202.40 per week
These amounts may be higher if you:
· have a long term disability or
· are entitled to Attendance Allowance/ Disability Living Allowance or
· are entitled to Carer’s Allowance or
· have service charges or mortgage related housing costs.
If your weekly income (without Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance) is less than these amounts, apply now. Any savings over £10,000, will affect your entitlement. However, the first £10,000 of any savings you have, whether it is money, shares or bonds, will be ignored.
If you are over 65 a more generous calculation of your entitlement will be done so it is worth applying. To apply, call the Pension Service on freephone 0800 99 1234.
Please ensure whenever you are calling the Pensions Service, that you have your National Insurance Number to hand. If you are making a claim for a benefit, you should have your bank account details available as they need these to arrange payment if your claim is successful. You should also have details or reference numbers for any other benefits or sources of income that you and/or your partner have, such as employer’s details if you are still working.
If you qualify for Pension Credit and have to pay for transportation to attend hospital appointments, you can ask for a refund from the Outpatients Dept. You must provide a receipt for your travel and explain why you have incurred these costs outside of using your Freedom Pass.
Example:
Mrs Trust is 63 and a widow. She is in receipt of a basic state retirement pension of £97.66 per week. She lives alone and has savings of £8700
Mrs Trust will be entitled to a Pension Credit Guarantee Credit of £34.94 per week. This will be paid in addition to her state pension of £97.66 per week. Her savings will not affect her entitlement as they are below £10,000 and so will be completely ignored.
Council Tax Benefit
If you receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit you are entitled to maximum Council Tax Benefit. This will reduce your bill to £0, unless you have other adults living with you. However, other people in the property may not always reduce your entitlement and you should still apply. Even if you are not on Pension Credit but you have a relatively low income or you are in a high council tax band you may still be entitled to help with your bill.
To apply for Council Tax Benefit you can go on-line at www.croydon.gov.uk or call 0208 726 7000. Officers can arrange to visit you at home to complete forms if you need assistance.
Carer's Allowance:
You can claim Carers’ Allowance if you are caring for someone for more than 35 hours a week and they are getting either Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher care component of disability living allowance. You cannot claim if you are earning £95 per week or more or are in full time education. Also check to ensure that claiming this will not affect the benefits of the person being cared for.
You can claim Carer's Allowance regardless of your age but if you receive a State Retirement Pension which is more than Carer's Allowance (£53.10) then Carer's Allowance may not be paid - BUT - it may still be worth claiming as you may be entitled to new benefits or extra entitlements because you are a carer, such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
Please call the welfare rights advice line on 0800 731 5920 for a quick entitlement check as it only takes a few minutes to determine if it is worth claiming Carer’s Allowance
Over 60 and responsible for a ‘child’
People over 60 who have a child living with them for whom they are responsible can apply for Child Benefit and Child tax credits. These benefits do not affect their entitlement to State Pension.
Free Medicine
If you are over 60 you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions.
Free Eye tests and help with the cost of glasses
People over 60 are entitled to free eye tests. In addition to this, you may be eligible for help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses. To apply for help with the cost of glasses, complete form HC1 which is available from your GP or local Jobcentre. If you or your partner are in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, you do not need to complete the HC1 form. Just show the optician the Pension Credit award letter.
Reduction in dental treatment charges
People over 60 and on a low income may be entitled to a reduction in the cost of dental treatment and should apply for a health certificate which they can show the dentist as proof, each time they attend for treatment.
To apply, complete form HC1 which is available from your GP or local Jobcentre. If you or your partner are in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, just show the dentist your award letter
Free Travel
All people over 60 are entitled to a Freedom Pass which will provide free travel on buses, Underground, Docklands Light Railway, and Tramlink and off peak trains across Greater London. You are also entitled to free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England
You can obtain your pass from Croydon Council on 0208 726 7100 or the Freedom Pass Helpline 0845 275 7054.
Free TV Licence
People over the age of 75 do not have to purchase a TV licence. This is a saving of £142.50 per year. For more information call the TV licensing helpline on 0844 800 6790
Free Driving Licence
Driving licences expire for everyone once they reach age 70. There is no fee for renewing it after that age and the DVLA will normally send a renewal form out automatically.
For more information call 0300 790 6801
Winter Fuel Payments
If you are over 60 by the end of September, the household will be entitled to a payment of £250 towards the cost of fuel bills during the winter months. If you are over 80, the payment will be £400. The payments are issued between the months of October and March. If you have not received a payment by the end of January, then you should call the Winter Fuel Helpline 08459 15 15 15
If you think that your fuel bills are very high, you may be entitled to a social tariff, which may change the rate at which your fuel is charged, leading to a lower bill. You should contact your gas or electricity supplier to discuss this.
Warm Front and Coldbusters
Both these schemes provide energy efficiency advice and grants for loft insulation, cavity walls, boiler replacement and draught proofing, plus many other initiatives. Everyone over 70 qualifies for free loft and cavity insulation.
Warm Front can be contacted on 0800 316 6011
ColdBusters 0208 683 6666 or 0800 358 6668
Living at Home
If you need support and care to live safely and independently at home, Croydon Council has a duty to carry out an assessment of your needs and either provide the service or organise for another organisation to provide the support to you.
You will normally be charged for care and support services but you can ask for a financial assessment to see if you are entitled to a reduced charge.
To request an assessment you should contact: 0208 726 6500
To discuss charging you should contact: 0208 726 5676
If you are a carer for someone who needs support and care, then you also have the right to have an assessment of your needs as a carer and perhaps respite care so you can have a break from your caring responsibilities. You can all the Carer’s UK Helpline for further information 0808 808 7777
Partnership for Older People (POP)
POP has been operating since May 1st 2007. The project uses a specially adapted bus to go out and about in various locations around Croydon, making sure that all parts of the Borough are covered.
People from different service areas will be on the bus on different days, including some evenings and weekends, offering information and services such as:
Health MOT's and medicine management
Keeping Well in Old Age
Advice on What's On
Falls prevention
Specialist equipment and adaptations
Caring for Carers
Staying Safe and Secure
Benefits advice
Housing advice
Nail Cutting Service
The weekly programme showing when and where the POP project bus can be found will be available at your local library, neighbourhood centre, council offices and GP surgery.
|
Benefits Guides
