Millions of grandparents to get pay rise in weeks – how much will you get?

MILLIONS of grandparents will get a pension pay rise within weeks.

It will mean struggling pensioners get help towards their food and energy bills thanks to a state pension rise.

PA

Revealed in the Autumn Statement last year, Mr Hunt confirmed that pensions would rise in line with September’s inflation rate of 10.1%.

Eligible people will see their pension payments rise from £185.15 per week to £203.85 next month.

This is what the state pays those who reached state pension age after April 6, 2016.

For the basic part of the old state pension, the rate will rise from £141.85 to £156.20.

This is paid under the old pension system and is for those who retired before April 6, 2016.

There’s also the additional state pension under the old system, which is an extra payment on top of the basic state pension some are entitled to.

Your state pension amount depends on your National Insurance record.

You’ll be able to claim the new state pension if you’re:

• a man born on or after 6 April 1951
• a woman born on or after 6 April 1953

You’re eligible for the basic state pension if you were born before:

• 6 April 1951 if you’re a man
• 6 April 1953 if you’re a woman

However, it’s important to remember that the full state pension rate is only available to those who have 35 years of National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

You might have gaps in your NICs if you were not earning enough, or were unemployed and not claiming benefits.

Luckily, those who have gaps can plug any in from up to 17 years ago – this means they will then qualify for the full state pension.

You can check how many years of NI payments you’ve made and see any missing years on the government website.

What other help can I get?

Struggling pensioners can get help elsewhere if they’re finding it hard to make ends meet.

Winter Fuel Payment

The winter fuel payment is made to pensioners to help them with the cost of energy bills during the colder months.

How much you get depends on your age and whether you get certain benefits, and getting the payment won’t affect them.

Anyone who is eligible, but doesn’t get it automatically, needs to apply by the end of the day on March 31 – so you have just days left.

Payments last year were worth between £100 and £300.

However, this year all pensioners eligible for the payment are receiving an extra £150 to £300 cost of living payment on top.

That means depending on your circumstances you could receive up to £600 in free cash.

Pension credit

Some pensioners on a low income may be able to claim for pension credit.

This benefit falls under two parts:

Pensioners can be eligible for one or both parts:

• Guarantee credit – tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level.
• Savings credit – provides extra money if you’ve saved money towards retirement.

You could get the “Savings Credit” part of Pension Credit if both of the following apply:

• you reached state pension age before 6 April 2016
• you saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension

And luckily for some, pension credit will rise from £182.60 a week to £201.05 in April as well.

For couples, it’ll go from £278.70 to £306.85.

Pension credit will rise from £182.60 a week to £201.05 in April next year.

For couples, it’ll go from £278.70 to £306.85.

Attendance allowance

he attendance allowance is designed to help with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.

It’s paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.

The higher rate will rise from £92.40 to £101.75, while the lower rate will also go up from £61.85 to £68.10.

To get attendance allowance you need to be:

• Physically or mentally disabled
• State Pension age or older

You cannot get Attendance Allowance if you already get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Council tax discount

Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction.

If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount.

If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.

And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too.

Telecoms bills social tariff

Those eligible for pension credit could also get help towards their mobile and broadband bills.

Telecoms bills will rise in line with inflation next month, in another blow to struggling households.

We recently launched a tool with cost of living champions Nous to help highlight how much customers can save with social broadband tariffs. 

And monthly prices start at just £12 with Vodafone but remember to search around before you commit to ensuring you’re getting the best deal.

Be aware that some suppliers may charge you a penalty if you leave a tariff mid-contract.

Here’s the full list of suppliers offering support and how to apply.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk