The
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides a financial safety net for millions of pensioners in the UK.
According to
Manchester Evening News, the State Pension currently supports
12.9 million elderly individuals across the country, ensuring a steady source of income for those who have reached the UK Government’s stipulated retirement age.
However, many individuals over the age of 80 may be unaware that they could be entitled to additional financial support. The
Over 80 Pension and
Pension Credit could offer a substantial boost to those receiving a low state pension or no pension at all.
What Is the Over 80 Pension?
The
Over 80 Pension is a government-provided payment aimed at individuals aged 80 or older who have little or no
Basic State Pension. Currently, the scheme offers a
weekly payment of £101.55, which is either provided in full or used to top up an individual’s current pension to this amount.
Unlike the standard
State Pension, eligibility for the Over 80 Pension does not depend on
National Insurance contributions. This means individuals who did not make sufficient contributions throughout their working life could still qualify for this additional support.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the Over 80 Pension, individuals must be
80 or older and have been
ordinarily resident in the UK, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar when they turned 80 or at the time of applying.
They must either
not receive the Basic State Pension or receive
less than £101.55 per week. Additionally, they must have lived in the UK for at least
10 years out of the last 20 years, although these years do not have to be consecutive.
People who reached
State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, and qualify for the
New State Pension, are not eligible for the Over 80 Pension. At present, the
State Pension is being paid to
12.9 million people across the UK.
Pension Credit: Additional Financial Support
Individuals over 80 who are on a
low income may also be eligible for
Pension Credit, which provides an average of
£4,200 in financial aid annually.
Pension Credit ensures that weekly income is topped up to a guaranteed minimum level of
£218.15 per week for single pensioners and
£332.95 per week for couples.
Even a small award of
£1 per week can open access to additional benefits. Pension Credit recipients can receive help with
NHS costs, including dental treatment, glasses, and transport for hospital appointments.
They may also be eligible for a
free TV licence if they are aged 75 or over. Further support includes
Council Tax discounts,
Housing Benefit for those who rent, and
Support for Mortgage Interest for homeowners.
Pensioners can also receive help with heating costs through the
Warm Home Discount Scheme, the
Winter Fuel Payment, and the
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
Starting this year, the
Winter Fuel Payment of
£300 for those over 80 will only be available to individuals receiving
Pension Credit or other income-related benefits.
How to Apply for the Over 80 Pension
Eligible individuals can apply for the
Over 80 Pension by obtaining an application form from their
local Jobcentre Plus or the
Pension Service. The earliest a person can apply is
three months before their 80th birthday.
Applications can be made by calling the
Pension Service helpline at
0800 731 7898. Full details are available on
GOV.UK.
To check eligibility for
Pension Credit, individuals or their family members can use the
Pension Credit calculator available on
GOV.UK. Claims can also be made by calling the
Pension Credit helpline at
0800 99 1234, which is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm.
why are pensioners and peaple that have worked all their life contracted injurion because of no safty in industry and suffered in forces where no safety was aparebt been persicuted the the present goverment i hope in future no one works and no kids joint the forces in this country and to be perciuted by this goverment better off with comunisms which i fought against.