Pensioners with a low income can expect to receive up to £1,350 in additional support from the government this year. The money is aimed at helping them combat the soaring living costs and interest rates.
People are entitled to receive a State Pension of £185.15 a week as soon as they reach pension age, reports ChronicleLive. Additionally, those who are retired and on a low income might also be able to receive pension credit, which opens up further benefits.
Under the latest cost of living support, eligible people of state pension age could receive up to £1,051 this year and £299 in early 2024. That is a total of £1,350 in extra financial support. This is how:
Cost of living payment - £900 - throughout 2023/24
The cost of living payment is worth £900 and will be paid to those on means-tested benefits, which includes Pension Credit. The DWP has been urging older people to check if they are eligible as it is estimated that 850,000 people are eligible but are not claiming.
The benefit is worth, on average, over £3,500 each year and acts as a passport to other support including help with housing, heating and Council Tax costs. An award for just one penny will be enough to qualify for the £900 cost of living payment.
These will be paid as follows:
£301 - Spring 2023
£300 - Autumn 2023
£299 - Spring 2024
No qualifying period has been announced yet, but Pension Credit is a retrospective benefit which can be backdated by up to three months, which means it will almost certainly fall within the eligibility parameters. People can check their eligibility using the online calculator or by calling the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234.
Cost of living disability payment - £150 - Summer 2023
The one-off £150 payment will be made to those on certain disability benefits. There’s no exact date announced just yet but the DWP has confirmed that it will be paid in the summertime.
If you are in receipt of any of these benefits, you will qualify for the support:
Disability Living Allowance
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Adult Disability Payment
Attendance Allowance
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Constant Attendance Allowance
War Pension Mobility Supplement
If you have never claimed PIP before reaching State Pension age, but have a long-term health condition or disability such as arthritis, joint pain or respiratory issues, you may be eligible for Attendance Allowance.
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Pensioner cost of living payment - £300 - Winter 2023
A one-off lump sum payment of £300 will be added to the annual Winter Fuel Payment. This is paid between November and January and is intended to help with heating costs during the colder months.
Normally the amount that you’ll get each year is based on when you were born and your circumstances on a certain week in the year - for example, 2022’s “qualifying week” was September 19 to 25.
