Latest news with #PensionCredit
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
BBC TV licence - four groups of people who don't need to pay £174.50 fee
You need a TV licence to watch or record live TV, or to watch anything - whether it is live, or catch-up - on BBC iPlayer The TV licence fee has risen to £174.50 but there are specific groups of people who don't need to pay this, or can reduce their bill to zero. TV licence is paid either monthly, quarterly or yearly. You need a TV licence to watch or record live TV, or to watch anything - whether it is live, or catch-up - on BBC iPlayer. This is the case even if you're watching something on a laptop, computer, tablet or phone. If you're caught watching TV programmes that require a TV licence, then you could be fined up to £1,000. The maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey, plus any legal costs or compensation you may be ordered to pay. However, if you're watching shows on catch-up using streaming services that aren't BBC iPlayer. This includes Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4 or My5 - then you don't need a TV licence. If you're tuning into live shows through these services, then you would need a TV licence. If you don't need a TV licence, you can fill in a declaration on the TV Licensing website. A message on the TV Licensing website reads: "We could visit your address to confirm if you need a TV licence. "If we find that you have been watching, recording or streaming programmes illegally, you risk prosecution and a fine for not having a TV licence of up to £1,000 plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay." You can pay for and renew your TV licence over the phone, online, at any PayPoint, or with a TV Licensing payment card. Are you eligible for free or cheap TV licence? There are some specific groups of people who can get a free, or cheap, TV licence. Check below to see if you fall into one of these categories. Over-75 and claiming Pension Credit: People aged over 75 who are claiming Pension Credit can get a free TV licence. Students living away from home: Students who are living away from home may also be covered if their parents have a TV licence, but only if they're watching TV on a device that isn't plugged into the mains, such as a phone, tablet or laptop. People who are blind or severely sight-impaired: If someone in your household is blind or severely sight-impaired, you'll get 50% off the cost of your TV licence. Residential care or sheltered accommodation: If you live in residential care or sheltered accommodation, you may be able to apply for a concessionary TV licence which costs £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow.
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
DWP breaks down Pension Credit barriers to help people claim £4,300 boost
A successful new claim for Pension Credit can unlock access to help with housing costs and Council Tax bills. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? To help more people over State Pension age access additional financial support over the coming months, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is continuing its efforts to increase take-up of an income-related benefit worth over £4,300 this year. More than 700,000 older people are estimated to be entitled to Pension Credit, but not claiming it as they wrongly believe that because they have savings or own their own home they would not be eligible for the income top-up. Pension Credit can provide a top-up for single people on the New State Pension who have a total weekly income below £227.10, or couples with a combined weekly income of less than £346.60. There are currently 1.4 million people receiving additional financial support through Pension Credit, including over 125,000 living in Scotland. The Scottish and UK Governments have announced that all pensioners born before September 22, 1959 with an income below £35,000 will receive winter heating help this year. Pension Age Winter Fuel Payments will be issued to Scots on November 30. Pensioner households aged between 66 and 79 will receive £203.40, while those aged 80 and over will be paid £305.10. Winter Fuel Payments will be issued to pensioners in England Wales. Pensioner households aged between 66 and 79 will receive £200, while those aged 80 and over will be paid £300. Even though winter energy bill help will be issued to the majority of pensioners this year, there are still benefits to claiming Pension Credit - access to the £150 Warm Home Discount Scheme, help with housing costs, Council Tax discounts and free TV licences for the over-75s. Barriers to claiming Pension Credit The DWP aims to break down barriers to claiming and busts some of the most common myths people may have to encourage them to think again about applying. Older people may wrongly think they are not eligible because they: have savings own their own home may be working may be getting a small occupational pension may have been turned down in the past Other factors may be that they: do not want to be seen as needing to claim feel that they're able to manage do not think it's worth applying - as the amount they get will be very small do not recognise themselves as a Pension Credit claimant have not got around to it think it's a complex and confusing subject already get other help and do not want to mess up the benefits they are getting Eight Pension Credit myths busted Having listed some of the main reasons people of State Pension age may be put off from claiming Pension Credit, the DWP has also busted eight common myths about the benefit. They do not think they will be eligible for Pension Credit False - some 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including over 125,000 living in Scotland currently receive the extra financial support. They would get so little that it's not worth claiming False - DWP says the average Pension Credit payment is actually over £75 per week - that's well over an extra £3,900 per year. Plus, getting Pension Credit can provide a passport to help with things like rent, Council Tax, Winter Fuel Payment, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (Scotland only), Winter Heating Payment (Scotland only), Cold Weather Payments (not Scotland) and a free TV licence for people aged 75 and over. They have savings, so will not qualify False - DWP explains that people can have savings or another pension and still get extra money. Unlike other income related benefits like Universal Credit, there is no capital cut-off limit and for Pension Credit savings of under £10,000 are ignored. They own their own home, so will not qualify False - DWP explains that homeowners can get Pension Credit too and that almost half of the people who get Pension Credit own their own home. They are not eligible for Pension Credit - it's for 'old' people False - People can claim as soon as they reach the qualifying age, which is now State Pension age - 66 for both men and women. They cannot get a State Pension, so they will not be eligible False - DWP said that they may be entitled to Pension Credit - even if they're not entitled to a State Pension. They have been turned down for Pension Credit before, so it's not worth applying again False - DWP said that personal circumstances could have changed and their income or capital may have changed as a result. The first £10,000 of savings will be ignored when working out if someone can get Pension Credit. It is too complicated and claiming is not worth the effort False - DWP has simplified the process and people can claim with one free phone call to the Pension Credit claim line. However, there are other ways to claim such as a paper claim form, which can be downloaded from the website or an online claim can be made - find out more here. Pension Credit Help to claim Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on here. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Expert help and advice is also available from: Independent Age Income Max Citizens Advice Age UK Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it, how much you could get and where to get help filling in the form. Who can claim Pension Credit? There are two types of Pension Credit - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit, you must be State Pension age (66). Your weekly income will need to be less than the minimum amount the UK Government says you need to live on. This is £227.10 for a single person and £346.60 for a couple - this amount could be higher if you're disabled, a carer or have certain housing costs. You can only get Savings Credit if: you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have a partner who reached State Pension age before this date and was already receiving it you have qualifying income of at least £198.27 a week for a single person and £314.34 a week for a couple How much could you receive from DWP? Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to: £227.10 for a single person £346.60 for a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting) You might be able to get more than this if you're disabled or a carer, or you have certain housing costs. Savings Credit can give you up to: £17.30 a week for a single person £19.36 a week for a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting). The exact amount you'll get depends on your income and savings. Your income includes assumed income from savings and capital over £10,000. Other help if you get Pension Credit If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as: Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in Council Tax discount Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, Winter Fuel Payments or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit In May 2019, the law changed so a 'mixed age couple' - a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it - are considered to be a 'working age' couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age. How to use the Pension Credit calculator To use the calculator on you will need details of: earnings, benefits and pensions savings and investments You'll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options. This includes: Your date of birth Your residential status Where in the UK you live Whether you are registered blind Which benefits you currently receive How much you receive each week for any benefits you get Whether someone is paid Carer's Allowance to look after you How much you get each week from pensions - State Pension, private and work pensions Any employment earnings Any savings, investments or bonds you have Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week. All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support. There's also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you're receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim. Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator? You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner: are deferring your State Pension own more than one property are self employed have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit How to make a claim You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months. This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time. You will need: your National Insurance number information about your income, savings and investments your bank account details, if you're applying by phone or by post If you're backdating your claim, you'll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start. Apply online You can use the online service if: you have already claimed your State Pension there are no children or young people included in your claim Article continues below To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Swinney defends universal winter fuel payment U-turn
On Wednesday, the Scottish Government announced that only pensioners with an income of less than £35,000 would receive financial help. While those with higher incomes will still receive the payment, they will be required to repay the money via their tax return or PAYE. Age Scotland estimates that around 160,000 households will lose out. READ MORE Less well-off pensioners will receive £203.40 if they are under 80, and £305.10 if they are older — marginally higher amounts than the £200 and £300 paid in England and Wales. Asked about the decision in Holyrood on Thursday, the First Minister said: 'What we have done is we have taken an approach which reflects the system that we believe will make the greatest impact on tackling the impact of fuel costs on older people within our society. 'That has resulted in us taking the steps that we have set out to make sure that we can target and focus the resources that are available to us and to enable us to utilise the resources that are under the control of the Scottish Government as effectively as we can to meet our wider priorities within the public works.' The announcement came only weeks after Mr Swinney argued that the winter fuel payment should be restored to 'all pensioner households'. Speaking ahead of a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer on 23 May, he called for a 'national mission' to raise living standards and a 'restoration' of the benefit 'so all pensioners get a payment'. Asked about the U-turn, Mr Swinney said: 'Since then, the UK Government has changed its position, and it has set out an approach which has got financial implications for the Scottish Government, and we have responded accordingly.' READ MORE The decision to originally means-test the Winter Fuel Payment — stripping it from around 10 million better-off pensioners — was one of the new Labour Government's first and most controversial policies. At the time, Chancellor Rachel Reeves justified it as a necessary 'hard choice' to save about £1.5 billion a year. With the Winter Fuel Payment being devolved, that prompted the Scottish Government to announce its own benefit, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. Those on certain means-tested benefits were due to receive £200, or £300 for over-80s, while all other pensioner households would receive a flat £100. Last week, the Chancellor confirmed that around three-quarters of pensioners in England and Wales — those on incomes up to £35,000 — would again receive a payment of £200, or £300 if they are over 80, from this winter. The U-turn by the Treasury meant that thousands of Scottish pensioner households not on Pension Credit but with a modest income were in line for just £100 — whereas if they lived in England or Wales, they would get £200 or £300 if over 80. In a speech on Monday, the First Minister confirmed the Scottish Government's benefit would at least match that proposed by the UK Government.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
BBC TV Licence fee refund as UK households can claim £175
Every household in the UK is legally required to have a TV licence in order to watch or record live TV, regardless of what channel it is on. However, many of us who have already purchased a TV Licence could be entitled to a refund if we do not watch or record live TV, and don't stream BBC iPlayer either. You can apply for a refund if you won't need your licence again before it expires, and you have at least one complete month left on it, due to not watching or recording live TV. UK households could be eligible for a £159 refund on their TV licence costs (Image: PA) You can apply for a refund on your TV licence here. Refunds are usually processed and issued within 21 days of application. However, your refund may be delayed if you have to be contacted for more information. Any refund will be paid by cheque or a BACS transfer directly into your bank account. The amount you will be due in a refund will be worked out by TV Licensing, the organisation that issues TV licences. They explain how they work out the amount you will be due here: 'Any refund due is calculated in unused months. You must have at least one complete month left on your licence that you won't need before it expires. 'So, you could get a refund for between one and 11 months, depending on how long you have left on your licence. 'You won't be eligible for a refund if there is less than one month between the cancellation date and the expiry date. 'If you haven't paid for your licence in full, its expiry date may be changed to reflect what you've paid.' When do I need a TV Licence? You do not need a TV Licence to watch: streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus on-demand TV through services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video videos on websites like YouTube videos or DVDs You do need a TV Licence if you: watch or record live TV on any channel or service use BBC iPlayer Am I eligible for a free TV Licence? For those of us aged 75 or over who are in receipt of Pension Credit, the TV Licence can be obtained for free rather than costing £174.50. Guidance from TV Licensing says: 'Free TV Licences are only available if you're 75 or over and you, or your partner living at the same address, are receiving Pension Credit. 'If you think you're eligible for a free licence but can't apply online, please call 0300 790 6117* and speak to one of our advisors to request an application form (our lines are open between 8.30am and 6.30pm, from Monday to Friday). 'Once we've received your application it may take a few weeks to process. If there are any problems we'll write to let you know. We may also call you if you have given us your phone number. 'There are separate arrangements in place for over 75s on the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.'
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Warm Home Discount explained as 2.7million households set for £150 energy help
In new plans confirmed this week, an extra 2.7 million households will be entitled to the Warm Home Discount this winter - this would increase the number of eligible people to over six million Millions more households will be eligible for £150 off their energy bills this winter as the Warm Home Discount scheme is set to be expanded. The Warm Home Discount gives you £150 directly off your electricity bill. In new plans confirmed this week, an extra 2.7 million households will be entitled to the Warm Home Discount this winter. This would increase the number of eligible people to over six million in total. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Millions of families will get vital support with the cost of living this coming winter, demonstrating this government's commitment to put money in people's pockets through our Plan for Change.' What is the Warm Home Discount? The £150 discount is applied to your energy account, as opposed to a direct cash payment into your bank. It is normally applied between October and March. If you're a prepayment meter, you will be sent a top-up voucher. If you live in England and Wales and you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount, you should receive it automatically. The rules are different in Scotland, where you may need to apply. Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount - and how is it changing? If you live in England and Wales, you currently qualify for the Warm Home Discount if you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or you claim means-tested benefits and have high energy costs. But the Government has now confirmed the high-cost-to-heat threshold for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales, meaning you will now qualify just based on the benefits you claim. If you live in Scotland, you qualify if you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or you claim a means-tested benefit. Your electricity supplier may have extra eligibility criteria. If you claim Pension Credit in Scotland, then you will get the Warm Home Discount automatically - otherwise, you will need to apply. The level of spend available in Scotland for suppliers is also increasing from this winter. How many more people will get Warm Home Discount? The number of families who will receive the discount for the first time, broken down by region, include: North East England: 100,000 North West England: 280,000 Yorkshire and the Humber: 210,000 East Midlands: 160,000 West Midlands: 270,000 East of England: 250,000 London: 570,000 South East England: 350,000 South West England: 220,000 Wales: 110,000 Scotland: 240,000 Other ways to cut your energy bill If you're struggling, your first step should be to contact your energy provider and ask what help is available. You should ideally do this before you fall behind on a payment. Some of the tailored support you may be offered includes a payment plan, payment breaks and affordable debt repayments. It is also worth asking them if you're definitely on their cheapest deal. If you're a prepayment energy customer and you're worried about running out of power, you should be able to access emergency credit. This is usually worth between £5 and £10, but some may offer more than this - for example, Utilita gives customers up to £15. You should also check if your energy firm offers hardship funds or grants that you don't need to pay back. For example, the British Gas Energy Trust offers help worth up to £2,000. In the winter, there are Cold Weather Payments worth £25 that are issued when the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days. This is available to people on certain benefits. There are also Winter Fuel Payments worth up to £300 for pensioner households. Finally, the following charities can offer you support if you are struggling to pay for your energy, or if you are in energy debt:
