State pensioners given 12 freebies and discounts worth £8,827 before Christmas

State pensioners across the UK are being given a vast array of freebies, discounts and cash payments in November worth up to £8,827.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned that around 880,000 households are missing out on Pension Credit, which serves as a gateway to even more financial support.

Pension Credit alone is worth £3,900 per year on average and it opens the door to thousands of pounds worth of extra help to those who are eligible for it.

Checking your eligibility for the benefit is particularly important at this time of year, when heating costs are high and the festive season adds an extra strain to household budgets.

It will also grant pensioners access to the £300 Winter Fuel Payment, which thousands of people will miss out on this year after Labour changed the eligibility criteria to make the benefit means-tested.

So if you’re facing money struggles this winter, now is the time to check what you are eligible for and to start applying for help as you could potentially be missing out on a total of £8,827.40 worth of support.

Pension Credit – £3,900

Pension Credit is awarded to those over State Pension age and on a low income to help with living costs. It tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single, or your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner.

In total, the benefit is worth around £3,900 per year and serves as a ‘gateway’ to the £300 Winter Fuel Payment, along with a string of other benefits.

If you qualify for it, you could also get the following:

Winter Fuel Payment – £300

Pension Credit claimants will qualify for the £300 Winter Fuel Payments, which is paid from November to help cover heating bills.

The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between the qualifying week of September 16 and 22, 2024.

Council Tax discount – £1,600

If you claim Pension Credit you can also get a council tax discount. The exact amount you’ll get depends on your local council, but it can be anything from around £300 for a 25 percent reduction on a typical Band D bill up to around £1,600 for a 100 percent discount.

Free TV Licence – £169.50

Anyone aged 75 and over and claiming Pension Credit can also get £169.50 off their TV Licence bill, cutting it down to £0.

Heating bills discount – £150

Pension Credit also enables you to help with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount scheme, which provides a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill.

The discount will be automatically applied to your bill by March 31, 2025 by your energy supplier if you’re eligible.

Attendance Allowance – £434

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you and is worth £72.65 per week for the lower rate or £108.55 per week for the higher rate. In November alone, this would be worth about £434.

If you have a severe disability which means you require regular assistance day and night, you could claim the higher amount. There are a total of 56 categories of conditions which could make you eligible.

Cold Weather Payment – £25

If the temperature where you live drops to 0C or below for seven consecutive days, you’ll be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment. This is automatic if you’re on an eligible benefit such as Pension Credit, Income Support or Universal Credit

Free NHS prescriptions – £9.90

Pension Credit entitles you to help with free NHS prescriptions, which cost £9.90 per item in England. The charge applies to each different medicine or medical appliance.

Free eye care – up to £215

If you get any of the Guarantee element of Pension Credit then you will be entitled to get help with NHS eye care, including a voucher for glasses or contact lenses. According to Martin Lewis’ MSE this could be worth up to £215, depending on your prescription.

Free NHS dental treatment – up to £1,000

Pensioners who qualify for the Guarantee element of Pension Credit are entitled to free NHS dental treatment, including anything from a simple check up to full dentures. According to Martin Lewis’ MSE this could amount to up to £1,000 worth of free treatment per year.

Housing Benefit – £1,000

If you rent your home and you get the Guarantee element of Pension Credit then you are also eligible for the maximum Housing Benefit entitlement from your local council. This isn’t a fixed amount, but Martin Lewis’ MSE says you could get around £1,000 per year, and potentially have your rent paid in full.

Royal Mail redirection discount – £24

Pension Credit also entitles claimants to a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house. The service normally costs £84, but you’ll only have to pay £60 – giving you a saving of £24.