Every Pound Counts - Aged 60 or over
Know your rights. One in three over-60s don't get the benefits they're entitled to.
Check if you are one of them.
What extra help can I get?
Many people over 60 miss extra weekly income because they do not claim all the benefits they are entitled to. You may be able to claim a range of benefits and concessions depending on your circumstances. Contact Every Pound Counts to ask what your entitlements are. They can give you free, confidential advice and practical help to complete the claim forms. People helped by the service are on average £3,000 per year better off.
The most common benefits people miss out on are Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance, Council Tax and Housing Benefit and Pension Credit. You may be missing out even if you own your home or have savings.
You may be entitled to Attendance Allowance if you are aged 65 or over and need help because of illness or disability. If you are under 65 you may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance instead if you need help with your personal care or with getting around outside.
You may be entitled to Pension Credit if you are aged over 60. You may be able to claim even if you have savings and a occupational pension. Pension Credit provides gives extra cash to people with modest incomes who have made savings for their retirement. It tops up someone's income to a set level. The guarantee credit is set at standard amounts; from April 2008 it is £124.05 a week for a single person and £189.35 for a couple. The amounts are higher for some disabled people, carers and homeowners and leaseholders with certain housing costs.
You may be entitled to claim Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent and/or Council Tax Benefit to help you pay your council tax. These benefits can be paid to people on low income and people with modest incomes who have made savings for their retirement. For more information on these benefits see:
Contact us now for free advice
The Council is offering full benefit checks for all pensioners living in Lambeth.
- By phone and textphone
Every Pound Counts can be contacted by phone and textphone on 020 7926 5555 Mondays - Fridays 9am - 5pm.
- By email
For advice on tax credits, pensions, housing benefits and Council Tax and other benefits, you can email us at: everypoundcounts@lambeth.gov.uk
When you email us please tell us as much as possible about your benefit query and where possible provide a contact number we can call you.
- In person
What if I need a home visit?
If you need a home visit, for example because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities then we will come and visit you at home.