Benefits and welfare

You could be missing out on Pension Age benefits

If you are pension age, and your weekly income from pensions and earnings is less than £218.15 for a single person (or £332.95 for a couple if you are both pension age), then you may be able to claim Pension Credit. (If your income is too high, you may still be entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. Call 0300 1234 121 to see if you're eligible).

Claims for Pension Credit can now be made online or call the Claim Helpline on 0800 991 234.

Claiming Pension Credit could mean you are entitled to other benefits, like:

Housing benefit – to help pay your rent
The Winter Fuel Payment
A free television licence for over 75s
Help with NHS costs, like dental treatment

Winter Fuel Payments

The Department for Work and Pensions provides the Winter Fuel Payment to older people to help with heating costs during the winter. Eligible individuals can receive between £250 and £600 depending on their age and circumstances.

Who is eligible? Most people who are born on or before 23rd Sept 1958 and receive Pension Credit are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.

You may need to apply. Many eligible tenants will receive the Winter Fuel Payment automatically, typically between November and December. However, if you have not received it before or you’ve recently moved, you may need to apply. The qualifying week is from 16 - 22 September 2024.

Find out if you need to apply

Check your eligibility for Pension Credit before the December 2024 deadline

The Department for Work and Pensions is urging pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit before the 21 December 2024 deadline to secure this year’s Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300.

Applications for Pension Credit can be made: 
- On the How to Claim page 
- Over the phone by calling 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm) 
- By printing out and filling in a paper application form 
- For more information visit the Pension Credit GOV.UK page.

Elderly lady making a cup of tea

The Benefit Cap

The Benefit Cap limits the amount of benefits working-age individuals can receive. Any amount over the cap is deducted from either your Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. The current benefit limits are:

Family or couple: £384.62/week
Single parent: £384.62/week
Single person: £257.69/week

Need more info? Visit the gov.uk website.

Bedroom Tax

If you are a working age resident with spare bedrooms in your home, you may see a reduction in your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. It could be reduced by 14% if you have one spare bedroom, or 25% if you have two or more spare bedrooms.

There are some exemptions, such as:

Couples with disabilities who cannot share a bedroom
Disabled children who need their own room
Overnight carers who don’t normally live in the property
If, because of the bedroom tax, your Housing Benefit doesn’t cover your rent, you may be able to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment through Cornwall Council. Find out more in the Discretionary Housing Payment Factsheet.

Our Inclusion Advisors can help!

If you have any questions about claiming benefits, the Bedroom Tax or the Benefit Cap, call us on 0300 1234 161. The Money Advice Service also offer lots of helpful advice.