Grandmother shares 'little known' DWP benefit that gives her extra £4,000 a year
One pensioner has shared how she is nearly £4,000 a year better off by claiming one little known benefit.
Yvonne Bailey, from Witney, Oxfordshire claims Pension Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and says it has made a "huge difference" to her life. Pension Credit is a benefit specifically for people who have reached state pension age and are on a low income.
The 78-year-old grandmother realised she was eligible for the benefit 13 years ago after an adviser at her local Citizens Advice Bureau told her she could claim. If you are eligible to claim, Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £201.05 if you are single or to £306.85 if you’re in a couple.
Per week, Yvonne now receives £210 from her state pension plus an extra £78 Pension Credit - her state pension is boosted as she claims some of her late husband John's, who died 26 years ago. Yvonne also receives around Disability Living Allowance as she suffers from Fibromyalgia and severe Osteoarthritis. This gives her an extra £68 a week on top taking her weekly income to £356.
Yvonne said: "At that time it made a huge difference to my life because it meant I could go out with close girlfriends and have a coffee, and go round a garden centre and just, enjoy life. It meant I could buy new clothes when I needed it and trousers and practical things like that."
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Yvonne says her state pension and pension credit cover her energy and food bills which have skyrocketed over the recent years. She also uses the money to cover her broadband bill. Pension credit is described as a "gateway benefit" as once you claim, you are entitled to other support. For Yvonne, this is Housing Benefit and a 100% council tax discount,
However, the biggest perk for Yvonne is the free TV licence which you are entitled to claim once you turn 75. Currently, a TV Licence costs £159 a year - going up to £169.50 in April.
Yvonne says the free TV Licence is great as it does save her cash, but it also helps her feel less isolated as she lives on her own. She explained: "It means a lot. Living alone I've got my dog Daisy for company and whether I'm watching TV or not, it's on because the house doesn't feel so lonely then. It's like you've got people there chattering in the background so it keeps you connected and keeps your brain active."
Yvonne frequently shares her story as a way of encouraging others to claim where they can. She added: "This is my way of giving back. I've told a lot of neighbours and family who are entitled to claim Pension Credit and I'm spreading the word. Come on people, get that money that's owed to you."
There are currently 1.4million pensioners in the UK claiming the benefit however there are nearly 900,000 people who are eligible but not claiming. The DWP says those entitled to Pension Credit are on average £3,900 a year better off.
Joanna Elson CBE, chief executive of Independent Age said: “Accessing a free TV license when you reach 75 is just one of the many ways Pension Credit can help you save money. As well as an additional weekly income, which is on average £3,500 a year, Pension Credit entitles you to a host of additional benefits, including help with your housing costs, council tax, energy bills and NHS dental and glasses costs.
"At Independent Age, we’ve worked out these extra benefits can be worth up to £8,000 a year, so even if you’re only entitled to an extra penny a week from Pension Credit, it’s worth claiming it so you can access this further support. According to the latest statistics, up to 880,000 people entitled to Pension Credit aren’t currently receiving it.
"With more than 2 million older people living in poverty, it has never been more important to check what support is available. If you’re over 65 and your weekly income is below around £200 as a single person or £300 as a couple, you could be eligible."
You can apply for Pension Credit online on the Gov.uk website here, by calling 0800 99 1234, or by printing out and filling in a paper application form. You can also get a friend or family member to call for you, but you will need to be with them when they do.
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