Reviewed November 26
On this page we will try to highlight various issues that may affect you and benefits available.
The information is provided in good faith but you should contact a Financial advisor or Citizens Advice Bureau as appropriate.
1) Problems Proving Your Identity
Having problems proving your identity, don’t have documents normally required? Then quote from The Consumer Financial Education Body (CFEB) which has a booklet in it’s Money Made Clear series entitled Proving your Identity, which states:
‘If you have difficulty in proving your identity, the member of staff dealing with your application should pass the matter to someone who is authorised to decide in exceptional cases.’
2) ISA TAX RULES
The following link will take you to the Goverment website, providing you with the up to date rules for ISAs. http://www.gov.uk/individual-savings-accounts
Funds are transferable from a cash ISA into a stocks and shares ISA, giving your money a better chance to grow over the medium to long term. Making the transfer won’t affect your ISA allowance, so if you make a transfer from a previous year’s ISA, it will not use any of the current year’s allowance. In addition, there will be no tax to pay on the returns you earn from your ISA. However you cannot transfer from a stocks and shares ISA to a cash ISA.
3) Housing and Council Tax Benefit
Housing Benefit provides help towards rent.
Council Tax Benefit can reduce the amount of Council Tax you pay. How much you receive is dependent on factors including income, savings, the level of rent and council tax.
For many older people receiving Pension Credit guarantee, benefits can cover all their rent and council tax; others can get some help to reduce these bills.
Who qualifies? If you get Pension Credit and pay rent and/or council tax you will normally also be entitled to these benefits. If you don’t receive Pension Credit but have NO more than £16,000 in savings, you may still receive some Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit.
To obtain Age Concern’s free factsheet on benefits call Freephone 0800 009966.
4) Winter Fuel Payments
The following link will take you to the Goverment website providing you with the up to date rules for persons receiving WFP. http://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
Who qualifies? Most people aged 60 or over living in the UK. The payments for each year are based on someone’s age during the qualifying week during that year, which is normally the week beginning with the third Monday in September. Fuel helpline 08459 151515.
5) Cold Weather Payments
The following link will take you to the Goverment website and provide you with the up to date rules for claiming cold weather payments. http://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment
Who qualifies? People who are in receipt of Pension Credit or Income support. The payments are made automatically.
6) Disability Living Allowance
This is for people who make a claim before the age of 65 and who are physically or mentally ill or disabled and need help with personal care or need supervision from someone else, such as dressing or washing.Who qualifies? People aged 64 and under who meet the specific care or mobility conditions set out by Social Services. https://www.gov.uk/dla-disability-living-allowance-benefit
7) Pension Credit
The following link will take you to the Goverment website and provide you with the up to date information for rules for claiming Pension Credit. http://www.gov.uk/pension-credit
Nearly half of all pensioners are eligible, so even if you’re not sure whether you are entitled, it can do no harm to put in a claim anyway.
Enquiry Line 0800 99 1234
8) Attendance Allowance
A benefit for people aged 65 or over who are physically or mentally ill or disabled and need help with personal care or supervision from someone else, for example, dressing or washing. It is not income or savings based.
Who qualifies? – People aged 65 or over who meet the specific care or mobility conditions set out by Social Services. Enquiry Line 0800 88 22 00.
The figures quoted above may have been effected by the recent Budget so if you are close to these figures contact your local Social Services, Age Concern or CAB.
Information about UK benefits (gov.uk website)
Information about UK retirement benefits (gov.uk website)
9) How to Complain
A general point: Under The Consumer Credit Act 1974 for items costing over £100 use a personal Credit card as it gives you a higher level of protection.
1) Have a genuine complaint.
2) Your contract is with the seller, their obligations fall under the Sale of Goods Acts.
3) Put it in writing. If your complaint isn’t dealt with to your satisfaction, send a letter of complaint by recorded post.
4) Be clear and polite.
5) If you paid by credit card and your purchase was more than £100 but less than £30,000 your credit card provider is equally liable under law, with the retailer, for seeing that you get redress for the faulty or non-delivered product. In some circumstances you can even get compensation for extra costs you’ve had to incur as a result of the problem.
See this full section 75 guide for more information. https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/data-insight/our-insight/common-myths-about-section-75
6) Contact Trading Standards. If you are still disatified after 14 days contact Trading Standards.
7) Check the Codes of Conduct.
If the retailer is a member of a trade body check the code of contact of the body they may be able to help.
8) Take your case to court. In England and Wales or in Scotland, try your local Citizens Advice Bureau who also offers free legal advice.
9) Know your rights. Here is a detailed video guide to consumer rights
If you find any errors on this page or have useful information we can publish please let us know through the Contact Page