State pensioners are being told to check their eligibility for various Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits following today’s energy price cap announcement.
Earlier today, Ofgem confirmed that energy bills would drop by seven percent for households with average usage from October 1.
From this date, the energy price cap will be at £1,923 but despite this fall, many Britons are concerned about their energy bills.
Older households on the state pension are at particular risk of falling into fuel poverty as energy costs continue to be relatively high.
Elderly care experts from TakingCare Personal Alarms are reminding older people of the benefits provided by the DWP which can help senior citizens financially through the winter months.
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Here is a full list of the benefits state pensioners could be entitled to:
Winter Fuel Payment
Warm Home Discount
DWP £10 bonus
The £900 cost of living payment is reserved for those on means-tested benefits, including those on Pension Credit.
In September, the second instalment of this lump sum will be delivered to those who are eligible which will be worth £300.
Some 11.6 million older people could be the annual Winter Fuel Payment which is worth anywhere between £250 and £600 depending on a claimant’s circumstances.
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Included in this year’s amount will be the £300 pensioner cost of living to help the elderly with rising bills.
Unlike other benefits, the Warm Home Discount is a £150 concession that is applied directly to a household’s energy bill.
Anyone who is in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit is entitled to this assistance.
Over the Christmas period, a £10 bonus from the DWP is awarded to state pensioners and those on other benefits usually in the first week of December.
As well as this, experts are urging older people to check their eligibility for Carer’s Allowance as many married pensioners are carers to their partners later in life.
Those entitled to this benefit could get £76.65 if they look after someone for at least 35 hours per week.
Claire Baker, an elderly care expert at TakingCare Personal Alarms, emphasised the importance of older people checking what support they are entitled to following the energy price cap announcement.
She explained; “While it is good news that the reduction to the energy price cap means people will pay less for their energy bills, prices remain significantly higher than they were in October 2021, when the price caps were introduced.
“With inflation remaining volatile, we remain concerned for the wellbeing of our older generation as we head into the autumn and winter months.
“This latest price cap announcement will also signal the end of the Energy Price Guarantee scheme, which may leave many low-income households worried for the future; particularly the 12.5 million older people relying on state pension, which is around £200 per week.”
