The Minister of State for Work and Welfare Victoria Prentis has stated that the UK Government "understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living” and is taking "decisive action" to help households with their energy bills.
Prentis added that the £37 billion in support being administered by the UK Government includes the £650 cost of living payments, which are intended to support approximately 8 million households on a low income that claim certain means-tested benefits, as well as pensioners claiming Pension Credit.
Additionally, she stated that over 8 million pensioner households will get a one-off £300 boost via the Winter Fuel Payment starting mid-November. As reported by the Daily Record, around 6 million eligible disabled households also got a one-off boost of £150 in September.
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The Minister of State for Work and Welfare's response was to Labour MP Rachael Maskell, who questioned what additional support was available to pensioners who cannot afford their bills amid the cost of living crisis.
Prentis added that the Household Support Fund provides aid for older people, with £79 million administered to the Scottish Government to deliver across all 32 local council areas.
She stated: “Ongoing financial support for help with the cost of living is provided to people over State Pension age through State Pensions, Pension Credit and Housing Benefit, and to people below State Pension age through Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance.
“In some cases, and especially in the case of Pension Credit, these entitlements may also give access to other support such as help with Council Tax, NHS costs, discounts on energy bills, and free TV licences for those aged 75 or over.”
The minister also explained that older people with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability may qualify for financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance.
PIP can only be claimed by people who are of working age, and therefore below the State Pension age. However, if you previously claimed it before turning 66 you may be able to claim it again.
Prentis continued: “People with a long-term health condition or disability may be entitled to one of the following non-means tested benefits to help them meet the additional costs that arise from disability: Attendance Allowance; Disability Living Allowance; or Personal Independence Payment.
“These benefits can be paid in addition to any other social security benefits and may qualify people for additional amounts or premiums as part of these benefits.”
In addition, the DWP confirmed that pensioners can still qualify for the second £324 means-tested cost of living payment. In order to be eligible for the boost, they must have qualified for a payment of Pension Credit on or before the qualifying date of September 25, 2022.
However, since Pension Credit is a retrospective benefit, it can be backdated for up to three months. Therefore, the last date it can be claimed in order to qualify for the cost-of-living boost is December 19, though the DWP has urged people to get their applications in “as soon as possible”.
Even if you are only awarded one pence, you will still be eligible for the £324 boost.
The DWP added: “People do not have to do anything extra to backdate their claim. If they make their application online, they will automatically be asked about backdating, and if they make their application over the phone the adviser will talk them through this.”
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