Citizens Advice February 2023
How to boost your State Pension and access the Household Support Fund in the Cotswolds
Do you know someone on a state pension who struggles to make ends meet? Or perhaps a couple? What if they could get a boost to their income? Too good to be true? A lot of other state pensioners certainly think so: a third of those who are eligible miss out. That’s a million older people scrimping and saving and going cold when they don’t need to.
This pension boost is called ‘Pension Credit’. It not only provides extra pension income: it can also cover or reduce a host of other costs – rent, mortgage payments, council tax, energy and utilities, TV licence, dentists and opticians and more. Overall, the effects really can be transformative to pensioners who are struggling.
How to qualify? State pensioner households may be eligible if income is less than £182.60 per week for single people and £278.80 for couples. Pensioner households with higher income may be eligible in some circumstances – for instance if there is a carer in the household or a disability.
So, have a think: do you know someone who may qualify? If in doubt, search for Pension Credit online, ring the Pension Helpline – 0800 99 1234 (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday), or get in touch with us at Citizens Advice Stroud and Cotswolds, 0808 800 0510 (10-4 Monday to Friday, 10-1 Friday) where we can check you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. Don’t hesitate – Pension Credit can make a big difference.
Pension Credit may also help you to access the Household Support Fund for help with food, energy costs and wider essentials such as warm clothes, bedding, boiler repairs and the purchase of white goods. Citizens Advice Stroud and Cotswold Districts currently have funding from Cotswold District Council to help pensioners on Pension Credit or who are on a low income and struggling to make ends meet. Please do contact us if you are interested in accessing the fund.
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