Benefits And Allowances For The Elderly

Every year, the government has a pot of money which the elderly can utilise, but the take up rate for these various payments are often low, showing that knowledge of the schemes in place is not being spread properly. The money which someone could claim can mean the difference between living their life in comfort or in misery.

With this in mind, this month we’ve created a bumper post which will help to give you more information about the benefits and allowances. There are a whole host of things available for different people and, while it might be hard to know which is supposed to be for you, there is no harm in applying for money that you might be entitled to.

Non-means tested

There are plenty of allowances which you can claim without having to go through the hassle of a means-testing process. These slices of financial assistance could be available to you or your loved one:

Travel – This is a huge factor, as some elderly people will need to be able to get around to maintain their quality of life. The most obvious thing you can gain is a bus pass, but a disabled badge for your car might make getting around easier as you can park closer to shops and reduce the struggle of walking.

If public transport is not an option for you, then you might find that local dial-a-ride schemes are in place to help you get from A to B when you need to.

Winter Fuel Payments – At this time of year, keeping your home warm is important – especially for the elderly, where medical conditions can be exacerbated. However, rising fuel costs have left some people unable to afford to keep the heating on. If you were born on or before 26th September 1955 you are entitled to between £100 and £300 on an annual basis to help towards your heating costs. If you receive a state pension you should already receive these payments automatically.

There are other ways in which you might be eligible for winter fuel payments, but you may need to submit a claim to get the money.

Universal Credit

Universal credit is fully rolled out across the country as an all-encompassing benefits package. The thinking behind the scheme is that it will unite a variety of benefits into one system, making it easier to assess all the different needs of an individual. It should include different tax credits and income support, but also means changes will come into force for pension credit and housing benefits. You can visit the government website now to apply for Universal Credit.

PIP – Personal Independence Payment

Replacing the Disability Living Allowance for any new claimants, PIP (or Personal Independence Payment) is aimed at those with long term health issues, regardless of whether they are over or under 65.

The PIP payments are based around two aspects of a person’s life: their daily living and their mobility. There are two levels to each of these components, depending on the severity of the individual’s condition. If you’re currently on DLA and are over 65, this will continue as normal.

Clearly this is a crucial piece of funding for anyone who requires special equipment to get around such as mobility scooters, stairlifts and other apparatus to make homes safer. Anyone who wants to stay in their own home, rather than be moved into a care home will no doubt benefit greatly from PIP payments.

Attendance Allowance

When it comes to health issues for pensioners, it can be difficult to get around and to get the treatment or tests needed. Attendance Allowance is in place to help those with issues getting around, so if you require an eye test for example, you could use the money towards travel directly from your home.

Everyday, basic tasks might also become a struggle and this is where the majority of people use the money. Some people pay to have people come to their home to help them with tasks such as cleaning, gardening and cooking. While this doesn’t cover anything like full-time assistance, it is a good option for those who merely need a helping hand in their old age. Up to £92.40 can be claimed each week for these purposes (in the most severe cases) and it goes a long way towards ensuring the general well being of an individual.

Bereavement Allowance

In the unfortunate incident that you find yourself widowed, and you are between the ages of 45 and the pension age, you could be entitled to 52 weeks of payments from the death of your wife, husband or civil partner.

This is different to the war widower’s pension, which is a pension granted to a person whose partner has died as a result of serving in the Armed Forces during a war. Depending on your age and individual circumstances you will receive a particular rate, the rates are listed in a document on the government website.

If your partner died on or after 6th April 2017, you could be entitled to a different type of payment called the bereavement support payment. This is the newest form of bereavement support and has largely replaced the bereavement allowance. The bereavement support payment is made up of a one-off lump sum, and 18 monthly payments. You can claim up to £9800 in total with the bereavement support payment.

The “Bedroom Tax”

You will no doubt have heard about the “bedroom tax” in the media of late. This is essentially a penalty for anyone in social housing who has more bedrooms than they require. It’s important to remember this if you’re a pensioner but live with someone under the pensionable age, as it may result in you being penalised.

Beware of Your Cap

If you’re under 65 and receive benefits, the total sum of Universal Credit you can receive will be capped at £350, and at £500 if you are over 65 but live with a spouse who is under 65. However, this does not apply to the other areas discussed in this guide such as PIP, Attendance Allowance and Widower’s Pension.

Motability scheme

The Motability Scheme exchanges your qualifying mobility allowance to lease a car, wheelchair-accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair. The scheme is designed to help those with mobility problems acquire the vehicles they need for their independence.

Can you claim motability allowance if you are over 65?

Mobility allowance is a benefit given to those who have significant mobility issues. The requirements for receiving motability allowance is the same for anyone over 65 as it is for anyone under 65.

You will be eligible to claim motability allowance if you meet the following conditions:

You are unable to walk, even with the use of artificial limbs or other suitable aids, or your health is such that the exertion required to walk would be dangerous
The inability to walk must be likely to last for at least a year
You must not be medically forbidden to move
You must be in a position to benefit from a change in surroundings
You must be living at home or in a long-term institution
You must pass a means test.

You can apply to join the Motability Scheme if you are aged 65 or over and you receive mobility allowance.

If you’d like assistance if purchasing suitable mobility items then look no further than Stechford Mobility. We’ll help you find the right equipment for your home so that you can maintain your independence.