Eight payments and discounts coming in May worth £11,000 for UK households

Nine freebies and discounts for UK households worth a staggering £11,000 in May have been revealed. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Pension Credit leads the way, as pensioners cash in on a whopping £4k benefit amid the Cost of Living crisis.

Pension Credit is available to people over the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) State Pension age, currently 66, who live in England, Scotland or Wales. To qualify, tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single and £332.95 if you are in a couple.

It can be worth around £3,900 a year on average. You could get the "Savings Credit" part of Pension Credit if you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016 and if you saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension, according to the DWP rules.

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Pension Credit - £3,900

If you're over State Pension age, you could be getting help with your living costs by claiming Pension Credit, worth £3,900 a year, on average. It's not a small number that need it either – more than a third of those taking a pension have an income that's so low they could be entitled to Pension Credit.

Free prescriptions - worth £119

Everyone aged 60 and over will continue to receive free prescriptions, the government has confirmed. Taking into account a number of factors, including current cost of living and increased medical needs due to an ageing population, the government has decided to freeze the age at 60.

National Insurance cut - £1,394.40

The threshold for NI payments is currently £12,570 a year for employed workers. If you're earning £30,000 a year you would save £1,394.40.in the 2024/25 tax year. Jonathan Watts-Lay, Director, WEALTH at work comments; “1% may not seem like a lot but we have found that someone in their 20s, saving an extra 1% a year into their pension with their employer matching this, may be able to increase their pension pot in retirement by 25%. For someone earning £20,000pa, this could increase their pension pot from £99,341 to £124,177 at no additional cost to them if they use the money they are saving in National Insurance.”

He continues; “Most people pay at least 5% of their salary into a pension each year through auto enrolment with their employer paying an additional 3%. Any additional percentage paid in can make a huge difference to the amount saved for retirement.”

Watts-Lay adds; “Many workplaces are now offering financial education and guidance to help employees understand how they can make the most of their finances now and for the future. It is important that people speak to their employer to find out what help is available.”

Attendance Allowance - £5,000

Pensioners are entitled to various benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which can help raise their regular income. One of these payments is Attendance Allowance, which is available to those of state pension age who need financial assistance if they have long-term health conditions or illness. Older Britons are being encouraged to apply for this DWP benefit as they could receive an annual windfall of £5,000.

Paul Brennan, the director of Benefit Answers, outlined how the payments work and what people should expect to get from it if they are eligible. He explained: “Attendance Allowance is a weekly benefit that is paid to people aged over pensionable age that helps those who have difficulty with their bodily functions, and who need support or supervision to avoid danger to themselves or others.

“Currently, this benefit is worth up to £92.40, paid weekly - but this is due to increase to £101.75 in April of this year, adding up to around £5,000 annually. But many people aren’t even aware they’re eligible, meaning millions of people are missing out on money that could fund essential care they might need in the future.”

Discounted rail fare - £142

If you are aged 60 and over, the Senior Railcard is the option for you. Costing just £30 a year, the Senior Railcard saves you one-third on all Off-Peak journeys offering you immediate savings. Or for even better value, you can get the three-year Railcard for £70.

According to Railcard: "People with a Senior Railcard save on average £76 per year or £5.34 per journey." Your Railcard is not valid during the morning peak period when travelling between two stations in the Network Railcard area of validity, so it's worth checking what the peak times are at your chosen stations. But other than that, you can use your Railcard any other time.

All you need to do is apply it when purchasing your tickets and then make sure to carry it with you.

Discounted days out - £20

If you're an existing National Trust member aged 60 or over, and you've been a member for at least the last three years, you can ask for 25% off your subscription. This means that you’ll pay £63 for individual senior membership instead of £84 and £104.40 for joint senior membership instead of £139.20.

Free bus pass - £128

If you're 60 or over or you have a disability, you might be eligible for public transport concessions – from discounts on your rail journeys to a free bus pass. You can get an older person's bus pass when you reach State Pension age, which is currently 66 for both women and men.

Football clubs - £295

Newcastle United offers over 65s a 25% discount on the standard price of a ticket. Seasons tickets for Everton in the 2022/23 season were priced at £330 for fans who are 65 and over, whilst a full-priced adult season ticket ranges from £465 to £625.