State pensioners being handed three payments worth at least £1,834 in December

State pensioners have been urged to claim £6,600 benefits in December. Charity Age UK as well as the Rothesay Foundation, conducted a study and found that 76 per cent of pensioners were not claiming benefits they were entitled to.

State pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and Housing Benefit in particular. Paul Farmer, CEO at Age UK, said: “To date, we’ve already helped over 4,500 older people identify their benefit entitlements, and over the next two years we hope to reach even more. From our conversations with older people, we know how life-changing this support can be.

"Many are forced to make impossible choices between heating, eating, buying warm clothes or even getting a small Christmas gift for a loved one. Older people deserve better. We are deeply grateful to the Rothesay Foundation for its generosity and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of older people.”

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James Dickson, Chairman of the Rothesay Foundation, said: “Too many older people are living in need in the UK despite being eligible and entitled to greater financial support. Through our pilot campaign with Age UK, we know that benefits like Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance can be life-changing, unlocking potentially thousands of pounds each year for those in need.”

The monthly rate for Attendance Allowance in 2024/2025 is £72.65 for the lower rate and £108.55 for the higher rate weekly, working out to a maximum £434. The monthly rate for Pension Credit in 2024/25 is £218.15 per week for single people and £332.95 per week for couples, working out at £1,400.

You may get Housing Benefit with all or part of your rent. There’s no set amount of Housing Benefit and what you get will depend on whether you rent privately or from a council. How much you get depends on your ‘eligible’ rent, if you have a spare room, your household income - including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000) and your circumstances, for example the age of people in the house or if someone has a disability.