Pages 15-22 in the full Wise Guide book
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a full copy of the Wise Guide
Like to cut your bills and make running your home easier? In
this chapter, we share our insider knowledge on everything from
help to pay your mortgage, to help to pay for your pet's
operation.
Help to pay your mortgage
The Pension Service on 0845 60 60 265 may be able to help if you
are a homeowner with mortgage interest, gound rent, service charges
and interest on home maintenance loans. Ask them to check if
you qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit
and to send you a housing costs claim form.
Have you considered renegotiating your mortgage terms through an
independent financial advisor (IFA) or mortgage broker? Find a FSA-approved advisor in your
area.
If you are in mortgage arrears, see chapter 7 for help.
Did you know… more than half the
homeowners retiring in 2011 still owed money on their
mortgage.
Help if you can't pay your rent and
service charges
First contact Citizens Advice to ensure your rent and
the service charges are fair. You may qualify for Housing Benefit.
The housing benefit department of your local council can help with
your housing costs including service charges - but they take your
savings and income into account. If you are in rent arrears, see chapter
7.
Be cautious about releasing money
tied up in your property
Considering equity release? There are usually better ways of
raising money, including a bank loan. The charity FirstStop (0800
377 70 70, firststopcareadvice.org.uk)
can send you A Guide to Releasing Capital from Your
Home or phone them for free impartial advice. Don't do
anything without getting advice from your solicitor, independent financial advisor (IFA) or Citizens Advice.
Eight ways to pay less Council
Tax
1. If you're on Guarantee Pension Credit (see
chapter 1), you pay nothing.
2. You should pay less if your savings/capital are under £16,000
and you get Savings Credit or if
you're on a low income. It depends what your circumstances are, how
high your bill is and you may get more money off if you're on a
carer's or disability benefit.
3. Ask for the disability
reduction if you need to alter your home - by adding an
extra room or space to use a wheelchair indoors - because someone
living in the house is disabled.
4. Claim a discount called second
adult rebate if you share your home with someone on a low
income who is not jointly liable with you to pay the Council Tax
and who does not pay rent to you. Savings don't matter but the
amount of the second adult's income will affect the amount of
discount you get.
Claim a 25% Council Tax discount
if
5.…you live alone (and you can claim arrears due to you).
6.…your home is empty (eg because you've moved in with a
relative).
7…the person living with you is a carer who isn't your partner
and cares for you for more than 35 hours a week.
8…you or someone in the house has a severe mental impairment
including dementia and receives Attendance Allowance or
the middle/higher rate of the Disability Living Allowance
(DLA) care component.
Can't claim any discount and struggling to pay? Ask your local
Citizens Advice to check you're in the
right band. Or ask your council for advice. In Northern Ireland,
contact the rebate section of your rates collection agency.
Did you know…half the pensioners eligible for Council Tax Benefit
don't claim.
Keeping warm
For information about grants and deals for older people,
including free insulation and money for heating improvements,
contact the Energy Saving Trust on (0800 512 012, energysavingtrust.org.uk).
Other sources of advice are: your council, Citizens Advice, the Home Heat
Helpline (0800 33 66 99, homeheathelpline.org.uk),
the charity, Shelter (0800 800 4444, shelter.org.uk), and if you
live in housing association or council housing, your housing
officer.
Extra money in winter
If you are over retirement age, whatever your income, you are
entitled to a Winter
Fuel Payment of between £100 and £300 depending on
your age and circumstances. You receive the money automatically
before Christmas with your state pension or benefit. The Winter
Fuel helpline is 0845 915 15 15.
An extra £25 when it's unusually cold
If you're on a disability or income-related benefit such as
Guarantee Pension Credit, you'll automatically receive Cold Weather
Payments worth £25 when the temperature falls below 0°C for seven
consecutive days.
And if your heating or water bills are unusually high…
If you need more heat or water because of a disability or
medical condition, you could qualify for the Social Tariff from your energy
suppliers. Phone the number on your bill. If you are disabled or
exceptionally vulnerable, you can ask your gas or electricity
supplier to put you on the Priority Service Register.
If you are in arrears with your
heating, water, electricity or gas bills, see chapter
7 for help.
Small household repairs
Need to replace a washer or change a light bulb? If you live in
a housing association property, there may be a handy person. If
not, the British Legion (0800 032 0306, britishlegion.org.uk/can-we-help)
can help ex-service people and their families with repairs. Also,
many Age UK branches offer a handy person service to improve home
securty, install smoke alarms or do light gardening. If they can't
help directly, both Age UK and your council may keep a list of
reliable traders and home improvement agencies (see
below).
Larger home improvements
Your council can advise on grants and loans, help you apply, and
give advice to ensure work is of a good standard. An
organisation called Foundations can put you in
touch with local home improvement agencies (HIAs) which exist to
help older people stay in their own homes. If you need a stairlift
or walk-in shower, you may be eligible for a Disability Facilities grant. A
council occupational therapist assesses your needs before the grant
is approved and depending on your savings and income, you may have
to contribute to the cost. HIAs can also advise on general
maintenance and repairs in the home and tell you what grants are
available.
To find an HIA in England, contact Foundations (0845 864 5210, foundations.uk.com/hiasearch).
In Wales, call Care & Repair Cymru (029 20576 286, careandrepair.org.uk).
In Scotland, Care & Repair Scotland (0141 221 9879, careandrepairscotland.co.uk).
In Northern Ireland, contact the Fold Housing Association
(02890 428314, foldgroup.co.uk).
organisations can help:
Looking after every member of the family
If you are on benefits or a low income and can't afford your dog
or cat's treatment, these organisations can help:
- PDSA (0800 731 2502, pdsa.org.uk). Ask about the
PDSA's PetAid Request Service.
Download this chapter, or order
a full copy of the Wise
Guide
