A 74-year-old is increasingly using her credit card to help keep up with bills in the cost of living crisis. Christine, who spoke to BBC’s Money Box Live about how she is coping with rising bills, said she was desperate to know what help is available for those who are finding it hard to keep up with rising costs.
The retiree, who has been retired for around 10 years, said: “I’ve been retired for about 10 years and my husband has been retired for about five.
“We do have work pensions and state pensions but we support other family members as well as ourselves.
“We are finding it very tight and we have to rely on credit cards for some of our expenses.
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“What help is there for pensioners who can’t manage on what they’ve got or have other caring commitments?”
Sam Richardson, deputy editor at Which? Money Magazine explained the importance of pensioners claiming all the benefits they are entitled to.
He suggested people use the benefits calculator on Turn2Us, or the government website.
He continued: “Don’t suffer in silence. There is support available from providers, energy companies and from councils but people have to ask for it. I encourage people to reach out.”
A £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment for those receiving disability benefits, such as Attendance Allowance.
Exact payment windows will be announced closer to the time but are being spread across a longer period to ensure a consistent support offering throughout the year.
They will broadly be as follows:
- £301 – First Cost of Living Payment – The first cost of living payment will be paid between April 25, 2023, and May 17, 2023, for most people on DWP benefits.
- £150 – Disability Cost of Living Payment – during Summer 2023
- £300 – Second Cost of Living Payment – during Autumn 2023
- £300 – Pensioner Cost of Living Payment – during Winter 2023/4
- £299 – Third Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2024
If individuals are eligible, they should be paid automatically and there’ll be no need to apply.
To be eligible for the First Cost of Living Payment (during Spring 2023), people must have been entitled to a Pension Credit payment between January 26 and February 25, 2023, or they must have been entitled to payment of Universal Credit for an assessment period ending between these dates.
Or they must have been entitled to payment of Universal Credit for an assessment period ending between these dates.
If people are not already getting Pension Credit, they should check their eligibility – they can still qualify for this payment if they make a successful backdated Pension Credit application by May 19, 2023.
None of these payments are taxable and they won’t count towards the benefit cap or affect other benefit entitlement.
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