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Benefits and Entitlements
Welfare Benefits
There may be a number of benefits available to Hanover residents in both Retirement Housing and Extra Care, whatever your tenure. Our Estate Managers can advise on the range of benefits available and calculate an estimate for potential entitlement for both existing and prospective residents. They can also help to obtain and complete claim forms if necessary; point you towards further advice; and help arrange a claim for disability benefits.
Whether you choose to rent, buy outright, or buy a share in your home, if you have a low enough income you may be eligible for help with housing costs. Entitlement always depends on your income, savings and individual circumstances.
Read more about the different types of benefits and help available below:
- Housing and Council Tax Benefit
- Pensions and Pensions Credit
- Disability Benefits
- Winter Fuel Payments
- Television Licence Concessions
- Leasehold Advisory Service
- Useful Websites
If you are unsure which benefits might apply to you our frequently asked questions can help.
Housing and Council Tax Benefit
Housing Benefit provides help towards rent and service charges if you rent all or part of your home. You may also be entitled to this if you rent to buy, until your former home is sold and you receive the capital from sale.
Council Tax Benefit is available to all tenures and gives help towards your council tax bill.
Both of these are provided by your local council, who will need to know your income and savings to work out your entitlement.
If you are having problems with your claim your Estate Manager may be able to help. You can also seek advice from a housing aid centre, Citizens’ Advice Bureau, or other local advice centre. They can help if you have financial difficulties or need general financial advice, even if you are not entitled to benefits.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides advice on pensions, and entitlement to Pension Credit and winter fuel payments. More information on all these can be found on the DirectGov website.
Pension Credit is available to anyone, irrespective of tenure. There are two types:
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Pension (guarantee) Credit is intended to give people over minimum state pension age a guaranteed level of income. For homeowners (including shared ownership) it can help towards mortgage or loan interest payments, and any ground rent. It may also help with service charges if you purchase outright.
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Anyone aged 65 or over and on a low income may be entitled to Pension (savings) Credit. This rewards those who have saved towards their retirement.
Contact the Pension Credit Application Line by telephone Monday to Friday 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday 9.00am to 1.00pm on 0800 99 1234 to make a claim; or by text phone on 0800 169 0133.
To apply for your retirement pension, contact the State Pension Claim Line by telephone Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 8.00pm on 0800 731 7898, or by text phone on 0800 731 7339.
Anyone with a physical or mental disability, personal care or mobility needs may be entitled to Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance. These are tax free benefits which do not depend on income or savings – you just have to meet the needs criteria. If you care for someone who gets these benefits, you may get Carers Allowance. Getting disability or carer benefits may also mean higher amounts of means tested benefits.
Entitlement to all disability or carer benefits depends upon individual circumstances. You can claim by telephoning the Benefits Enquiry Line Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6.30pm, and Saturday 9.00am to 1.00pm on 0800 88 22 00; or text phone on 0800 243355. For more information visit:
These are annual payments to help anyone over minimum retirement age with costs of keeping warm in winter.
For further information, call the helpline on 08459 151515 or text phone on 0845 6015613, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm (charged at local rates).
Television Licence Concessions
A television licence is free to anyone aged 75 or over for their main home. There are also concessions for anyone who is registered blind. A concessionary licence is available on some Hanover estates for retired or disabled people aged 60 or over. To apply, please contact TV Licensing on 0844 8006790 or visit the TV Licensing website.
The Leasehold Advisory Service
The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) can help you if you are a leaseholder and would like some advice. If you cannot find the answer to your question on their website at www.lease-advice.org you can call one of their trained, specialist lawyers on 020 7383 9800 for FREE legal advice. The service is government-funded and completely free to you.
