State Pensioners Can Claim 11 Freebies and Discounts Worth £9,077 This March – See If You Qualify!

State pensioners across the UK could be missing out on thousands of pounds in financial support this month, with a range of freebies and discounts available that could add up to £9,077.40.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit, a benefit designed to help those on low incomes in retirement.

Pension Credit not only provides a direct top-up to your income but also unlocks access to a host of other benefits, including help with housing costs, council tax, and the Winter Fuel Payment. On average, it takes just 16 minutes to apply, and successful claims can be backdated by up to three months.

Sarah Pennells, a consumer finance specialist at Royal London, highlights the importance of checking eligibility for Pension Credit. She notes that while there was a lot of attention on the December deadline to claim Pension Credit in order to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, people can apply for Pension Credit at any time.

The benefit could be worth over £4,000 a year, and many pensioners are missing out simply because they haven’t checked if they qualify. Research shows that three in ten people over State Pension age on low incomes haven’t checked their eligibility, and one in ten who were told they qualified still haven’t applied.

Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single, or £332.95 if you have a partner, and is worth up to £4,300 per year on average. But the benefits don’t stop there. Claiming Pension Credit can also open the door to a range of other support, including:

• Housing Benefit: If you rent your home and receive the Guarantee element of Pension Credit, you could be eligible for the maximum Housing Benefit, which could cover your rent in full. This could be worth around £1,000 per year.
• Council Tax Discount: Pension Credit claimants can get a discount on their council tax, ranging from around £300 for a 25% reduction on a typical Band D bill up to £1,600 for a 100% discount, depending on your local council.
• Free TV Licence: If you’re aged 75 or over and claiming Pension Credit, you can get a free TV Licence, saving you £169.50.
• Warm Home Discount: This scheme provides a £150 discount on your electricity bill, automatically applied by your supplier by March 31, 2025.
• Free NHS Prescriptions: Pension Credit entitles you to free NHS prescriptions, which normally cost £9.90 per item in England.
• Free Eye Care: If you qualify for the Guarantee element of Pension Credit, you can get help with NHS eye care, including a voucher for glasses or contact lenses, worth up to £215.
• Free NHS Dental Treatment: Pensioners on Pension Credit can access free NHS dental treatment, from check-ups to dentures, potentially saving up to £1,000 per year.
• Royal Mail Redirection Discount: If you’re moving house, Pension Credit claimants can get a £24 discount on the Royal Mail redirection service, reducing the cost from £84 to £60.
• Cold Weather Payment: If the temperature drops to 0°C or below for seven consecutive days, you’ll receive a £25 payment automatically if you’re on Pension Credit or other eligible benefits.
• Attendance Allowance: This benefit helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough to require regular care. It’s worth £72.65 per week for the lower rate or £108.55 per week for the higher rate, which could amount to around £434 in December alone.

To apply for Pension Credit, you can start the process up to four months before reaching State Pension age (currently 66 for both men and women) or at any time after.

Applications can be made online via GOV.UK or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234. With so much financial support available, it’s well worth checking your eligibility to ensure you’re not missing out on benefits that could make a significant difference to your quality of life in retirement.