Michelle Hackett from Retirement Security explains the different welfare benefits you may be entitled to.

In the video, Michelle gives more information about Pension Credit, and how that can help you with other living costs, and Attendance Allowance. You can watch it below or read the full transcription further down the page.

Your court’s Service Manager will be happy to help if you have any questions or would like support with applying for these welfare benefits.

Benefits you might be eligible for

If you’re wondering what benefits you might be eligible for and how we might support you, you’re in the right place.

My name is Michelle Hackett. I began my journey with Retirement Security as a Services Manager over 10 years ago and latterly joined the Retirement Security Board of Directors in 2022. My responsibilities include the supervision of the management arrangements of each court and to define and manage our service level agreements.

I ensure that property owners are able to live their lives to the full and maintain their independence. One of my main aims is to make certain that the health and well-being of our owners is always at the forefront of our minds.

I have helped and supported so many Owners obtain welfare benefits and allowances that they were not aware of, or thought they were not entitled to.

Pension Credit

Some of our Owners receive Pension Credit which is extra money to help you cover your costs if you’re over state pension age and living on a low income. You might be able to get it even if you have other income, savings or assets. If you’ve reached state pension age and are living below the income threshold you can claim Pension Credit.

Even if your weekly income is higher than the threshold you could still claim Pension Credit if you have a severe disability, if you are a carer, or if you have to pay housing costs, such as a service charge or a mortgage.

How can Pension Credit help you?

Being in receipt of Pension Credit can help towards health costs such as free dental treatment, help with the cost of glasses, and help with transport to the hospital. If you are a carer you may get an extra amount known as a Carer’s Addition. If you have a disability you may get an extra amount known as a Severe Disability Addition.

Being in receipt of Pension Credit can also help with housing costs. You probably won’t have to pay your council tax and will likely be eligible for help with your service charge.

Pension Credit can help with other costs too. If you’re 75 or over you can get a free TV license. You will also be eligible for a cold weather payment during particularly cold weather conditions.

You have nothing to lose by applying and potentially a lot to gain. And if you’ve previously been turned down you can still make a claim each year.

Attendance Allowance

In addition to Pension Credit some of our Owners receive Attendance Allowance, which is a benefit that you might be able to claim if you need help with care, or have an illness or disability.

The money you receive isn’t taxable or means tested so your savings or income won’t affect your claim. Claiming also won’t affect any other benefits you receive. In fact it can actually help you get other benefits such as Pension Credit or council tax reduction.

There are two rates of Attendance Allowance. What you get depends on the care you need during the day and the night.

You can claim Attendance Allowance if you meet  all of the following criteria…

• You’re over state pension age. If you haven’t reached it you may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment instead.
• You have any type of disability or physical mental illness, including site or hearing impairments and conditions such as dementia.
• You have difficulty in coping with your personal care such as getting washed or dressed, or you require supervision to keep you safe during the day or the night.
• You have needed help with these care needs for at least six months.

When claiming this benefit you will need to describe how your illness or disability affects you. Most decisions about Attendance Allowance claims are based solely on what you say on the claim form, so it’s important you’re clear about all of the things you can’t do or have trouble with because of your condition.

Some applications are turned down because people don’t mention, or aren’t clear about, how their illness or disability affects their lives. I have found that some Owners find completing the form daunting, or difficult to understand. That’s where we can help because we’ve been through the process many times before.

I would urge any of our Owners who require advice or support in claiming any welfare benefits to contact their Services Manager. Myself and the team are always happy to help you.

How have our Owners found applying for benefits with the support of Retirement Security?

Two of our Owners share their experiences of getting help from Michelle to apply for benefits they were entitled to.

“When the time came to apply for Attendance Allowance because of increased disability… it’s a free service offered by Retirement Security to help with the forms, which… the forms are 30 pages of quite complex questions. But when I arranged an interview with our retirement Service Manager, Michelle, it was carried out with such care and friendship really, to get the best answers from me and then convert it, that I was always confident that we were going to get it through and saw it approved.”

“I don’t know the first thing about what’s the thing to go in for, or to ask about, but Michelle seems to know everything so she can do it!”