Know Your Rights - Benefits Advice for Pensioners

Adjusting to life on a lower income after retirement is not always easy, especially when you've been used to working for most of your life.

The level of benefit varies according to the financial circumstances of each claimant.  Here is a general guide to some of the benefits or concessions to which anyone aged over 60 may be entitled:

• Married Couples Tax Relief: Anyone aged over 65 gets 10% tax relief
   
• Tax allowance: Anyone aged 65 to 74 can earn up to £6,830 tax free or £6,950 if you are aged above 75 years
   
• Council Tax benefit is often available. The amount will depend on individual's circumstances. Up to 25% rebate is available for those who qualify
   
• Housing benefit is available for those in rented accommodation and on a low income
   
• Pensioners between 60 and 65 can claim the guaranteed element of the pension credits.  To qualify for this, income would need to be below £105.45 before April and £109.45 after April for a single pensioner and would need to be below £160.95 and £167.05 respectively for couples
   
• A free TV licence is available for anyone aged over 75
   
• A fuel allowance to help with fuel costs.

Age Concern Croydon can provide fact sheets and information outlining benefits available.  It also offers limited assistance with completing forms.

Age Concern Croydon can be contacted by:

• Dropping in at their offices Monday to Friday 10.00am - 12.30pm at 158/162 London Road, West Croydon (afternoon appointments available)
• Phoning: 020 8680 5450 Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm (answer-phone out of hours)
• Faxing anytime on: 020 8288 9229
• E-mailing at: acc@ageconcerncroydon.org.uk

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Friday, 25 July, 2008

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