Tag: benefits

Letters: Charity urges older people to check Pension Credit eligiblity

Dear Editor

With the days feeling shorter, our thoughts are turning to the winter ahead and people up and down the country will be thinking about switching their heating on soon. But now, many older people, including millions living on a low income, will head into the colder months justifiably anxious about having their Winter Fuel Payment taken away from them as they do not receive Pension Credit.

The latest figures show that only 63% of eligible people are receiving Pension Credit, meaning up to 1.2 million older people could be missing out on an important entitlement, and so could have their Winter Fuel Payment taken away despite living on an extremely low income. In Edinburgh a massive £12.5 million in Pension Credit is going unclaimed.

Our helpline is regularly receiving calls from older people that are frightened about losing the money, and we are concerned that many will feel forced to keep their heating off. Being cold can be damaging to your physical and mental health, but the people we speak to think this is their only option as they simply do not have enough money to cover even higher energy bills.

If you are 66 and over and are concerned about losing the Winter Fuel Payment, we urge you to check your Pension Credit eligibility as the one-off payment is now tied to this entitlement.

Your claim for Pension Credit can be backdated, and if you successfully apply before the 21st December you will qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment as long as you lived in the UK during the qualifying week which is between 16th and 22nd September 2024, and you can show you were entitled to Pension Credit during that time.

You can check your eligibility through the UK Government’s Pension Credit Calculator and apply direct by calling this number 0800 99 1234. Or you can come to a charity like us at Independent Age by calling our free and confidential helpline on 0800 319 6789 and we can help work out what you might be eligible for and help you apply if needed.

Pension Credit can be transformative, it tops up income by on average, almost £4,000 a year. It also acts as a gateway to other benefits such as free TV licences for over 75s, free NHS prescriptions, council tax reduction, Housing Benefit, free eye tests and much more.

Yours Faithfully,

Joanna Elson, CBE

Chief Executive of Independent Age

Why scrapping the household benefit cap is vital for families, children and survivors of abuse

CHILD POVERTY ACTION GROUP BRIEFING

123,0000 households are affected by the household benefit cap. The vast majority – 71 per cent – are lone parents with children.

The benefit cap limits the total amount a part-time, low-earning or out-of-work household can receive in benefits, trapping families in deep poverty. It is having a disproportionate impact on survivors of domestic abuse and on children, as this new briefing with Shelter and Women’s Aid shows. 

The benefit cap makes it almost impossible to afford private rents. Recent research found that there were only enough affordable homes across the country to house one in six capped families. Increasingly even social rents (typically 30 per cent of market rents) are becoming unaffordable. In 78 local authority areas in England, average council and/or housing association rents are unaffordable for capped families.

The benefit cap is therefore contributing to homelessness, as families are trapped in refuges and other forms of temporary accommodation and are unable to move on to secure and affordable homes.

The cap is not effective and it is harming those who are already vulnerable. We are calling for the cap to be scrapped.

Joint_benefit_cap_briefing_FINALDownload

28% unpaid carers across Scotland are living in poverty

ONE IN TWELVE IN DEEP POVERTY

28% unpaid carers across Scotland live in poverty, with 1 in 12 in deep poverty 

  • The rate of poverty amongst unpaid carers is 56% higher than those who do not provide unpaid care in Scotland.  
  • 8% of unpaid carers in Scotland live in deep poverty; 50% below the poverty line. 
  • As many as 100,000 unpaid carers in Scotland are living in poverty. 
  • Carers Scotland is calling for an increase in the value of Carer Support Payment and in its earnings-limit along with an increase in support for unpaid carers on means-tested benefits.

 

New research finds that unpaid carers in Scotland are significantly more likely to experience financial hardship compared to those who do not provide unpaid care. The report by WPI Economics for Carers UK, funded by arbdn Financial Fairness Trust, explores the drivers and extent of poverty amongst unpaid carers in Scotland, finding that 28% are living in poverty, with 8% classed as being in “deep poverty”. 

One of the main drivers of poverty highlighted in the report is the difficulty unpaid carers have combining paid work with their caring role. Many unpaid carers have to give up their careers or reduce their working hours as a result of their unpaid caring responsibilities, which can result in a loss of income and their ability to accumulate savings and pensions.  

Other drivers of carer poverty include high housing costs, lack of support and access to social care services and the inadequacy of social security.  

Fiona Collie, Head of Public Affairs and Communications for Carers Scotland, said: “It’s deeply disturbing and shocking to hear that as many as 100,000 unpaid carers in Scotland are living in poverty.

“Every day across the country, the care they provide helps to hold society together, and too many are finding themselves in precarious financial positions as a result. Relatively small increases to support can have a big impact on carers’ lives and lift many thousands out of poverty. 

“Many carers face huge challenges juggling paid work and unpaid care. We need better support for carers in paid work, and to see visible change for those facing high costs linked to caring by the planned National Care Service meeting the needs of unpaid carers and supports them to continue with paid work, where they are able to combine this with their caring role.  

“Carers who are struggling financially, caring for more hours, and caring over a longer period of time are under immense pressure. They urgently need proper support, new rights and legal protections to ensure that they are not penalised as a result of their caring role.” 

Vivienne Jackson, Programme Manager at abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, said: “The care system would collapse without the vital people who provide unpaid care.

“It’s not right that those who provide essential services to some of the most vulnerable people in our society are living in poverty. Government and employers need to work together to help lift carers out of poverty.” 

Carers Scotland is now calling on the both the UK and Scottish Governments to act on the detailed recommendations laid out in the report, including committing to reviewing Carer Support Payment to increase its low value, reducing complexity and to increasing carer top-ups for those on means tested benefits such as Universal Credit. 

The Scottish Government must also continue to develop and deliver its commitment to pilot a minimum income guarantee for unpaid carers in Scotland 

The charity also wants to see better support for carers who might be able to combine paid work with unpaid care, including increasing the earnings threshold in Carer Support Payment to 21 hours at the National Living Wage.   

Pension Credit is now key to keeping your Winter Fuel Payment

A major change to this year’s Winter Fuel Payment means that to get the allowance that’s worth up to £300, you must also receive Pension Credit. If you don’t currently get Pension Credit, but think you could be eligible, it’s vital to check now and apply, otherwise you could miss out.

The allowance is now linked to certain means-tested benefits including Pension Credit. Pension Credit helps those over State Pension age who are living on a low income. It works by topping up income to a minimum level and can be worth more than £3,900 a year.

To keep getting your Winter Fuel Payment you must be eligible for Pension Credit or one of the other following benefits during the ‘qualifying week’ of 16 to 22 September 2024:

  • Universal Credit
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income Support

Our Benefits calculator will show you if you’re entitled to any of these benefits

In Scotland the Winter Fuel Payment will be replaced by the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, worth up to £300.

This will also be linked to Pension Credit and certain means-tested benefits.

It’s the Pension Credit Week of Action and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall recommends checking if you, a loved one or a friend could be eligible for Pension Credit.

For someone aged 66 or over it could entitle them to the Winter Fuel Payment and other benefits: https://ow.ly/NRPh50Tcu6m

#PensionCredit

#WinterFuelPaymen

t#PensionCreditWeekOfAction

Five years supporting families in Scotland

£90.6 million paid in benefits supporting school and food costs

Two benefits providing extra money to families with the cost of healthy food and starting school, are turning five years old.

Best Start Grant School Age Payment supports families with a one-off payment of £314.45 to help cover the cost of starting primary school, and has provided £33.5 million to over 100,000 parents and carers.

Best Start Foods worth up to £42.40 every four weeks to help families purchase healthy foods and has given £57.1 million to over 86,000 parents and carers.

Since launching in 2019, a number of improvements have been introduced to ensure more people have access to the support they need.

Best Start Grant School Age Payment is now paid automatically to eligible people getting Scottish Child Payment without the need to apply. According to latest statistics, 42,535 automatic awards were made for School Age Payment between Dec 2022 and June 2024, meaning less paperwork for tens of thousands of families.

The removal of income limits for Best Start Foods has increased access to vital financial support to help more families afford healthy foods for their children.

On the anniversary of these payments Social Security Scotland are urging families to check if they are eligible and spend money available on their Best Start Food card.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the most important priority for our government, and we are committed to making sure every child in Scotland has the best start in life.

“We have built a different social security system, one grounded in dignity, fairness, and respect. Part of this is making it as straightforward as possible for people to access the financial support that people are entitled to.

“The introduction of automatic payments and removal of income limits for Best Start Foods means we’re getting more money to families when they need it most.

“As families continue dealing with the cost-of-living crisis, I am urging everyone to check if they are eligible and make sure they are getting the money they need to help cover the costs of starting school and buying healthy food.”

Chief Executive, One Parent Families Scotland Satwat Rehman said: “ We are delighted to recognise the 5-year anniversary of the excellent Best Start Foods and Best Start Grant programmes.

“These initiatives have been instrumental in supporting families across Scotland, helping to ensure that every child has access to nutritious food and essential early years support.

“We look forward to the Scottish Government continuing this vital work and making a positive difference in the lives of many more families.”

A parent in receipt of Best Start Early Payment Grant said: “The grant made all the difference when she was starting nursery as I was really worried about how I was going to afford things for her.

“She loved her new clothes and bag. It was so good being able to get things for her and not be worried about how I was going to pay for them. “

Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods: high level statistics to 30 June 2024 Social Security Scotland – Over £25 million paid to Scottish carers in June

Social Security Scotland: Make sure you’re getting all the help you need

To be eligible for some of our payments you need to already be getting a qualifying tax credit or benefit.

Use one of these handy independent benefit calculators to check all the financial support that may be available to you:

http://bit.ly/BenefitCalculators

Are YOU losing out on Pension Credit?

SUPPORT and ADVICE from GRANTON INFORMATION CENTRE

THE Scottish Government has confirmed it will no longer provide Winter Fuel Payments to all pensioners in Scotland. Replicating the recent decision announced by the UK Government, Winter Fuel Payments will now be means-tested, which means only individuals in receipt of Pension Credit and certain other benefits will receive it.

Because Pension Credit is a ‘gateway benefit’, which opens up access to other support including Winter Fuel Payments, it is now more crucial than ever that individuals claim Pension Credit so that they don’t miss out on additional money they are entitled to.

If you’ve reached State Pension age, you can claim Pension Credit if your weekly income is less than:

£218.15 if you’re single

£332.95 if you’re a couple.

Even if your weekly income is higher than these thresholds, you could still claim Guarantee Credit if you meet one of the following criteria:

*you’re a carer

*you have a severe disability

*you have certain housing costs, such as service charges

*you’re responsible for a child or young person who usually lives with you.

If you have £10,000 or less in savings and investments this will not affect your Pension Credit. If you have more than £10,000, every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.

MANY, MANY, ELIGIBLE PENSIONERS ARE MISSING OUT ON PENSION CREDIT!

To claim Pension Credit, you can either:

*claim online on GOV.UK (if you already claim State Pension and there aren’t any children or young people included in your claim)

*call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 and they can fill in the application for you over the phone (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm).

To discuss your benefit entitlements and to find out what you can claim, get in touch with us at Granton Information Centre.

Our Welfare Rights Advisers are here to help!

Call 0131 551 2459 or 0131 552 0458 or email info@gic.org.uk

Cancer patients urged to apply for disability benefits

Charity joins Scottish Government to raise awareness of support

A cancer charity has joined forces with the Scottish Government to urge people with cancer to check if they could be eligible for disability benefits.  

Cancer Card Scotland founder Jen Hardy MBE and Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, want people with cancer to ensure they’re getting the money they could be entitled to.

Both Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment are available in Scotland to help cover the extra costs of being disabled, having a long-term health condition or being terminally ill.

Importantly, Social Security Scotland fast tracks applications for disability payments from people who are terminally ill. A decision can take as little as 48 hours.

For people with cancer, who are applying under the standard rules, there is a qualifying period before they can be eligible.

Jen, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, set up Cancer Card Scotland as an online hub where people with cancer could find out about all the support available to them.

Sharing her experience of applying for benefits after her diagnosis, Jen said: “There is a perception that to get disability benefits someone needs to have a physical disability that is there all the time, but that’s not the case. 

“Cancer can have a substantial and long-term effect on someone’s ability to do normal daily activities. It affects you not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. For most people, how they feel and the level of help they need changes. 

“For example, every three weeks I have an infusion of life-extending Herceptin, which takes three or four hours. It’s exhausting and I get so tired I can’t move.  

“Without my Blue Badge and my Adult Disability Payment I couldn’t do half the things I do. I want people with cancer to know that it’s okay to get financial support and it’s okay to apply for Child Disability Payment or Adult Disability Payment. 

“Everyone needs help at some point in their life.”

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said: “Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment are there to help cover the extra costs that come with being disabled or having a long-term health condition such as cancer.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis is difficult enough without worrying about bills. This is money people are entitled to and I urge everyone who is eligible to apply for support.

“Many people with cancer have spoken about how attending appointments and getting treatment can be a full-time job. That’s why we fast track applications from people diagnosed with terminal cancer so that they can get the support they need as quickly as possible.

“Social Security Scotland can help people apply for these payments either over the phone or face-to-face in a location that suits them.

“We also fund independent advocacy service Voiceability to provide help to disabled people applying for Scottish benefits.”

More information on eligibility and how to apply is available via the MyGov.scot website.

UK Government decision ends universal fuel payments for Scots

Scottish Government left with “no choice” following funding cut

Plans to means-test Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales will see the Scottish Government’s funding cut by up to £160 million.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has confirmed the Scottish Government therefore has ‘no alternative’ but to replicate the decision in Scotland and restrict payments to pensioners who receive eligible benefits.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Despite all efforts to review our financial position we have been left with no choice but to follow the UK Government and restrict payments to older people who receive relevant eligible benefits.

“This is a necessary decision when faced with such a deep cut to our funding and in the most challenging financial circumstances since devolution. The reduction we are facing amounts to as much as 90% of the cost of Scotland’s replacement benefit, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

“Given the UK Government’s decision to restrict payments to those in receipt of means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, and the implications for the Scottish Government detailed above, I have urged the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to undertake a benefits take-up campaign for Pension Credit and to move forward with plans for a social energy tariff.

“Both of these measures will provide some further protection to energy customers in greatest need.”

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes commented:

Scottish Parliament: Written answer

Age Scotland: Winter Fuel Payment decision ‘brutal’ for Scottish pensioners

Age Scotland is continuing to urge the UK government to reconsider plans to scrap the winter fuel payment for pensioners who do not receive pension credit.

The charity has responded to news that, following the UK Government’s plans to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment, the Scottish Government will have no alternative but to replicate the decision in Scotland.

Age Scotland’s Policy Director, Adam Stachura, said: “It’s infuriating that huge numbers of older people will miss out on the vital Winter Fuel Payment when it is devolved to Scotland.

“We recognise the financial challenge the Scottish Government would face to make up the shortfall to keep the payment universal, but we desperately hoped there could be a more effective delivery of this payment and that it could have looked more generous than the UK Government’s new, and meagre, approach.

“At minimum, a quarter of a million pensioners in Scotland on the lowest incomes or living in fuel poverty will no longer receive this vital financial support over the winter months, while hundreds of thousands more on modest incomes are going to struggle with their energy bills even more than normal as a result.

“This brutal decision by the UK Government was made too fast, cuts too deep and its impact will be severe. It’s important that they rethink this move, as it has a huge impact on the devolution of social security and the needs of Scottish pensioners who live in some of the coldest homes in the UK.”

Visit www.age.scot/SaveWFP to sign Age Scotland’s petition to save the Winter Fuel Payment. 

Social security support as children prepare for back to school  

Parents and carers are being encouraged to check their eligibility for financial support as the summer holidays end and they prepare for their children going back to school.  

Extra costs, including new shoes, stationery and lunch boxes, can soon add up.   

The five family payments administered by Social Security Scotland can help pay for extra back to school expenses alongside everyday family costs like food, clothing and days out.  

This includes the Scottish Child Payment, a weekly payment of £26.70 for eligible families with children up to 16. The payment is unique to Scotland and is supporting over 329,000 children and young people. 

The three Best Start Grant payments and Best Start Foods, also part of social security support, are designed to help families at key stages in their children’s early years, including during pregnancy.  

There is no cap on the number of children in one family who can receive these payments.  

Up to the end of March 2024, over £829 million has been provided to families across Scotland through the five family payments.  

Speaking at Home-Start Dundee, a charity that helps families with young children, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “The most important priority for our government is eradicating child poverty, and we are committed to easing the pressure on families by getting vital money into their pockets at key stages in their child’s life.  

“Whether it is helping families to buy healthy foods during pregnancy and for their kids as they grow, pushchairs to help on the move, or new shoes and clothing for school, our payments are there when they need it most. 

“We’re already supporting thousands of families across Scotland through our five family payments, and wider Scottish Government support is also helping to protect them as much as we can from the impacts of the cost of living crisis. 
  
“Even if you are working you could still get these payments and I want to encourage everyone to check if they are eligible and access the money they are entitled to.” 

Estelle Coulthard, Family Support Coordinator at Home-Start Dundee, said: “We are a local charity providing support for families with young children across Dundee that face daily challenges in life. We’re there to provide support as they learn to cope, help improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.

“We are responsive to the individual needs of families, and this includes helping to make parents aware of the financial support they are entitled to and work with them to complete application forms for financial assistance. 

“We know parents who have struggled to purchase everyday items such as formula and healthy foods for their children but the support they have received through the five family payments meant they no longer have to worry about feeding their child.

“The first five years between birth and school are vital for a child’s development and the five family payments make a huge difference to the beginning of a little one’s life, supporting parents to have the funds to purchase the necessities they need. Without these payments, families would not survive the constant rise in the cost of living in Scotland.”