Government Benefits for 60 Year Olds: What Could You Be Entitled To?
At age 66, both men and women in the UK are at pensionable age and are eligible to claim their state pension. In this article we cover what grants are available for 60 year olds or you can follow this link to find out more about free stuff for seniors over 65 UK has to offer.
Can You Get Government Benefits for 60 Year Olds?
The amount depends on the qualifying years of National Insurance contributions you have made over your lifetime. However, there are different ways you could have built up your National Insurance payments:
- Earning more than £183 per week from employment.
- Paying National Insurance contributions with your self-employed income.
- Paying voluntary NI contributions to make up for gaps in your record.
- You have claimed certain benefits.
- Child Benefit (including disabled child benefit)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance (or other attendance allowances)
This usually doesn’t include housing benefit or council tax contributions, but you can check with your local authority or energy supplier for their benefit decision if you are unsure.
If you wonder what grants are available for 60 year olds click on the link above or check your eligibility for grants available through UK Energy Support below.
You can also use a pension drawdown calculator to check state pension forecast.
Check if you’re eligible for free electric heater or insulation installation or replacement grant below
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for Free Cavity Wall Insulation of Loft Insulation Grant.
I am Over 60. What Benefits Am I Entitled To?
It can be a quite complex process when trying to find out what you’re entitled to when reaching pensionable age. The government benefits for over 60s UK Energy Support can help with, is getting your home heated properly (which is definitely one of the things you are entitled to as senior citizens). All of the schemes below for heating homes do not usually include residential care, but we suggest you speak to Age UK for their pensions advice and home living arrangements.
There are many perks of being senior citizens who live in the UK which means you are able to claim many things, such as travel discounts and other transport concessions like a bus pass and rail card, English heritage tickets, discounted dental treatment and eye sight tests, discounted cinema tickets, and a free TV licence! That’s a lot of stuff, but let’s talk about the schemes for heating homes that are applicable to senior citizens too.
ECO is a government backed scheme
Heating and Insulation Schemes for 60 Year Olds And Pensioners
Some UK energy companies have signed up for government schemes that allow vulnerable or low income households to claim free heating improvements, such as getting a free storage heater, and insulation. This also follows the government goal of making UK homes more energy efficient. One of the schemes is called ECO4 Scheme (Energy Company Obligation).
Benefits of the ECO scheme:
- You can have your room heaters replaced with electric storage heater for free.
- You don’t have to pay for the storage heater as the grant is non-repayable.
- You can help reduce the UK’s carbon emissions.
- You will receive reliable and trustworthy certified insulation installers (like us!)
- Your new energy efficient heater will make your home warmer in the winter months and cooler in summer.
Why is ECO One of The Government Benefits for 60 Year Olds?
The ECO scheme was put into place by the UK government to help reduce carbon emissions and reduce fuel poverty. It helps to keep the homes of vulnerable people and low income households warm, but that includes those who are over the age of 60 and at pensionable age.
As previously mentioned, it includes grants which can replace inefficient room heaters with electric storage heaters and companies that have signed up to the scheme can help install them for free (us!)
If you want to read more about ECO4 and whether you could qualify for it, see our other page focusing on that scheme. Remember, it isn’t just a government benefit for over 60s!
Great British Insulation Scheme for 60 Year Olds and Above
The UK government, in its continuous efforts to promote energy efficiency, has also launched the Great British Insulation Scheme, that may also be available to individuals aged 60 and above.
Recognising the need for warmer homes during the chilly winter months and a cooler ambiance during summer, this scheme offers insulation upgrades. Eligible households can avail of free insulation installations, ensuring homes are not just comfortable but also environmentally friendly.
The grant provided under this scheme is non-repayable, meaning you won’t have to worry about any hidden costs. Moreover certified insulation installers such as UK Energy Support are at your service to ensure a seamless experience. Dive deeper into the details of the Great British Insulation Scheme and discover how you can make your home more energy-efficient.
Remember, if you’re over 60s and claim qualifying benefits you are likely to have all the insulation done at no cost to you! See if you qualify below.
Other Government Benefits for 60 Year Olds That Help With Heating Homes
There are a number of benefits for senior citizens that are in place to help you stay warm in the cold winter months.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you receive any state pension, pension credits, or other benefits, you will often receive an automatic sum to help with heating costs in the winter, and it’s tax free! You can claim the winter fuel payment if you were born on or before 5 January 1954, regardless of whether you receive a benefit pension or other benefits as well. As senior citizens, we want you staying safe in the winter and look after yourself, not getting a cold!
Warm Homes Discount Scheme
With the warm home discount scheme, you could be entitled to deductions from your electricity bill in winter, which can reach up to £140. If you already have benefits for over 60 year olds that the government has provided, such as pension credits, the warm homes discount should have already been deducted from your electricity bill if you are with an energy supplier who is signed up for the government’s scheme. If you are unsure of whether you have received the warm home discount scheme, contact your energy supplier.
Cold Weather Payment
Another benefit available for over 60s England has put in place is the cold weather payment. If the temperature is lower than 0 degrees for seven consecutive days between 1 November and 31 March, you’ll get an extra £25 payment automatically deposited in your bank account.
Get in touch today to find out what you could be entitled to as part of ECO scheme and how we can help.
You may be eligible for free electric room heater to Storage Heater Replacement Grant.
Dont's wait, apply today!
The ECO4 grant is available from April last year. Hurry if you want to benefit from a FREE electric storage heater installation or insulation grant.