UK households in receipt of a state pension can bag eight freebies worth over £3,000 in June with a number of discounts also available that could help to ease the rising cost of living.
At present, there are an estimated 12,579,000 State Pension claimants receiving payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in the UK. It's a weekly payment from the Government to men and women aged 66 and over, designed to provide a retirement income to support them as they age and are less likely to be able to work.
Yet in addition to the weekly payment, a number of other benefits and discounts are also available for pensioners. Here we take a closer look at some of the most impressive freebies and discounts that could help you save your hard earned cash.
Free prescriptions - £118
Certain groups of people are automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions, including in this case any adult over the age of 60. Under current eligibility rules, pensioners are able to receive medication free of charge on a standard NHS prescription.
If you have taken early retirement however and aren't quite at that threshold, you can still apply for certificates that entitle you to free NHS prescriptions, reports Birmingham Live - but only if you meet certain criteria, such as suffering from a specific medical condition such as hypothyroidism, diabetes or epilepsy. Some prescribed items are always free however, including contraceptives and medication given to hospital inpatients. Your prescriber can give you more information.
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Free dental treatment - £282
In England, you do not have to pay for NHS dental services if you’re under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education, pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, or being treated in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist.
While most of these criteria don’t apply to pensioners, there is a lifeline if you happen to need dental care, and that is NHS support for people on low incomes. Under the scheme, you're entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you or your spouse (including civil partner) receive:
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit
- Universal Credit (depending on your earnings)
Free TV Licence - £169
One little known perk of growing older, is that if you're 75 or over and you claim Pension Credit, you're entitled to a free TV licence! If you're visually impaired, but have yet to reach that age milestone, you may also be able to get a discount too.
You need a TV licence to watch or record live programmes on any TV channel, including BBC channels. You also need a licence to watch BBC programmes using BBC iPlayer whether you're watching live or watching a downloaded programme on your TV, computer, tablet or smartphone.
A standard TV licence costs £169.50 per year - making it quite a saving if eligible.
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Council tax discount - up to £2,171
You could be eligible for a discount on your council tax, if you're on a low income or claim benefits. In some cases, your bill could even be reduced by up to 100%. You can apply if you own your home, rent, are unemployed or working.
Wherever you live, the amount of Council Tax Reduction you get depends on many factors, including:
- your age
- your income, including any benefits you receive
- your savings
- who you live with
- how much Council Tax you pay.
You may get more Council Tax Reduction if you receive a disability or carer's benefit - and if you receive the pension credit guarantee, you may be exempt from paying a penny at all!
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Social tariffs - £234
Several broadband providers offer social tariffs, providing those on benefits with a more affordable internet connection. If you're receiving Universal Credit or another type of financial support, these social tariffs can provide a much cheaper alternative to the standard monthly rate for broadband.
A recent Uswitch study revealed that two-thirds of financially vulnerable households are unaware of the existence of low-income broadband tariffs. This equates to roughly ten million homes that could save up to £234 a year, or nearly £20 per month, on a cheaper broadband contract.
In the latest MSE newsletter, it was revealed by Martin Lewis ' team that around 5.7million households could reduce their water bills by up to £160 a year through support schemes from water suppliers. These support schemes, known as social tariffs, are available from every water company.
The MSE explained: "Every water company (in England and Wales) has a social tariff scheme for those on low incomes which can lower bills or cap what you pay. Many firms have just updated their criteria for 2024 - to see if you qualify."
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Free insulation and boiler grants - £1,000s
The ECO initiative, which offers free insulation to homes across England, Scotland and Wales, is a scheme aimed at reducing the UK's energy consumption. It provides grants to vulnerable households to help them improve their home's energy efficiency.
By enhancing your home's insulation, you could save between £100 - £450 annually on energy bills. Certain types of insulation could typically cost up to £12,000. By applying today, you can get such insulation for free and boost your property value.
Free bus pass - £128
Once you reach the State Pension age in England, you're eligible for a free bus pass. If you're a London resident, you can travel for free on buses, tubes and other transport when you turn 60, but only within London. In Wales, you can get a bus pass when you hit 60.
On average, a person with a concessionary bus pass made 64 journeys in the year leading up to March 2023. This equates to an annual saving of £128, considering the current average bus ticket price of £2.
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