Money Box
Pension Credit and Renters Insurance
Nov 9, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Emma Smith, a Money Box reporter, and Devon Ghilani from Policy in Practice delve into the government's push to increase pension credit awareness among seniors. They highlight the financial benefits it brings, including winter fuel payments. Dan Whitworth sheds light on council tax debt, critiquing aggressive collection practices. The episode also explores why many renters forgo insurance despite the risks of losing their belongings, offering valuable insights into affordable options to protect their finances.
25:01
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Quick takeaways
- The government is reaching out to over 120,000 pensioners to claim pension credit, linking it to crucial winter fuel payments.
- A leading debt charity calls for reform in council tax debt collection practices to alleviate unnecessary stress on struggling individuals.
Deep dives
Encouraging Pension Credit Claims
The government is initiating a campaign to encourage over 100,000 pensioners, aged 66 and above, to claim the means-tested benefit known as pension credit. This initiative builds upon a previous trial where a small percentage of pensioners who received letters successfully applied for the benefit. The connection between pension credit and the winter fuel payment, which provides an additional £200 to £300, emphasizes the importance of this initiative, especially as over half a million pensioners may still be missing out. The Department for Work and Pensions is also mobilizing additional staff to process the expected influx of claims, further highlighting the significance of accessing these financial resources.
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