In the UK, turning 66 — the state pension age — means you can finally gain access to the pension you’ve been paying into your working life. But you actually may be eligible for a some government grants or before you reach retirement age. If you’d like to find information on benefits and grants for over 60s that may be available to you today, please read on.
UK Residents aged over 60 benefits
Finding out what exact benefits for over 60s are available can be hard as the information out there is not always clear and eligibility criteria can be confusing at times. We often get asked questions across these lines, such as “Do I get winter fuel allowance at 60?”, “Am I able to get free insulation?” or “can I get a free boiler”? Well, we are here to help you on your search to make your golden years stress-free.
There are several government benefits for senior citizens that can help you make your home more energy efficient, with high-quality free insulation being just one example. Unfortunately, the schemes we discuss below do not usually include residential care for the elderly, although you may find Age UK’s pensions advice and living arrangements useful if your living situation is applicable.
You can get a lot of benefits if you are an older citizen in the UK, especially if you receive pension credit. You can receive things like travel discounts, a free bus pass, railway cards, dental care at a discounted rate, cinema tickets at a discount, and English heritage trips, among many other things. These are all incredibly advantageous, but we will be looking at benefits and schemes that are relevant to keeping your home warm, energy efficient, and help you cope with the escalating cost of energy bills.
What heating grant schemes are relevant to individuals that are 60 or over?
The ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) programme is just one of several initiatives offered by the UK government to help low-income and vulnerable households to get free or substantially discounted energy-efficient home improvements such as insulation. This initiative, in addition to contributing to the government’s objective of lowering carbon emissions countrywide and improving efficiency, aims to reduce our negative impact on global warming and help minimise energy bills for those struggling with the energy crisis price hikes.
What are the benefits of the ECO4 scheme?
There are many reasons why homeowners and privately renting tenants over 60 should check their eligibility for the ECO4 scheme, including:
· You can access energy-efficient home improvements that are usually worth thousands of pounds completely for free.
· The funding is free, you will never have to pay back the grant for your new insulation.
· You can make a difference in the UK’s battle with climate change by reducing your carbon emissions.
· The certified installers that will be carrying out the work will be trustworthy and reliable.
· Your property will feel noticeably warmer, especially in the winter as the new measures work to retain more heat.
· You can save a substantial amount of money on your energy bills.
What about other age over 60 benefits?
The ECO scheme is not the only benefit the government has introduced to help make sure older households are kept warm in the cold winter months. Here are a few examples of financial support you could access as a pensioner.
Do I get winter fuel allowance at 60?
Winter fuel payments are applicable on to those who have reached the state pension age of 66. As senior citizens, it is essential that you look after yourself. Both children and older adults are more vulnerable to colder temperatures and generate illnesses easier. That is why if you are claiming a state pension, pension credits, or any other benefits, it is likely you will receive a Winter Fuel Payment to contribute towards your heating costs which have the added benefit of being tax-free.
Those eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment need to have been born before 26 September 1956 and could receive between £250 and £600.
Are pensioners eligible for Cold Weather Payments?
You may be able to get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting at least one of a number of benefits including Pension credit, income support, income-based JSA, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest. Typically, for pensioners you’ll usually get Cold Weather Payment if you receive pension credit.
You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecasting to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. The payment amounts to £25 for each 7 day oeriod of very cold weather. If you live in Scotland, you cannot get Cold Weather payments, but instead might be able to get a Winter Heating Payment.
Can I get Warm Homes Discount Scheme?
With the Warm Homes Discount Scheme, you could be eligible to have money deducted from your electricity bill in the winter. If you already receive government benefits for UK pensioners, like pension credits, the discount should have already been taken off your bill if you are with an electricity company that is signed up for the government’s scheme. You can contact your supplier if you’re unsure whether you have received the discount. The Warm Home Discount does not affect eligibility to Cold Weather Payments of Winter Fuel Payments.
Pension Credits for those over state pension age
Eligibility for certain benefits often rests on whether or not you claim pension credit. This is extra money provided by the government to help with your living costs if you have reached state pension age but are on a low income. Pension credit is separate from your state pension and you can even get it even if you have other income, savings or your own home.
If you get pension credit, you may also be able to get other help such as Housing Benefit, Support for Mortgage Interest, Council Tax discount, free TV licence, and help with NHS treatment, such as free dental treatment or free NHS prescriptions.
Get in touch with our team today if you need advice regarding available grants for pensioners and to see if you can qualify for free insulation through a government heating scheme.
