Concessions for older people
 

Concessions for older people.

Most concessions are ‘discretionary’, so you will need to ask about them and they may be limited to people with particular circumstances. Contact your local council to find out what it can provide. Your local Age Concern group should also be able to give you information about what is available in your area.

Health

Prescriptions and eye tests are free to people aged 60 or over, regardless of income or savings. NHS hearing aids are available on free loan; replacements and batteries are also free.

Primary Care Trusts have criteria that they use to decide who is eligible for free NHS chiropody services. Unfortunately there is no automatic entitlement for pensioners to free dental treatment, or help with the cost of glasses, wigs and fabric supports, or travel costs to hospital, unless the person is in receipt of the guarantee part of Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

People who are not getting these benefits but have a low income may be able to get some help towards the cost of these items from the NHS low income scheme.

The Department of Health leaflet HC 11 explains entitlement to help with health costs.

Money matters

Pensions and money benefits are not ‘concessions’ but older people do become entitled to increases in tax allowances at age 65. People over 60 may be entitled to Pension Credit so it is worth checking entitlement occasionally.

For further information about the range of money benefits for older people contact Age Concern Information Line or see the range of factsheet on benefits on Age Concern website (see back of the Information Sheet for contact details).

Heating

Warm Front grants may be available for householders aged 60 or over who receive income related benefits. Eligible households are those in receipt of one or more of the following: Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, income based Job Seeker’s Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance.

Central heating systems will be offered in certain circumstances and these installations may be accompanied by insulation measures. Some households may be offered replacement energy efficient boilers. The maximum amount for a Warm Front grant is £3,500 (£6,000 for those in areas without gas supply). The grants are targeted to eligible owner occupiers and tenants in private rented accommodation.

Other households where someone gets certain disability benefits may also be able to claim one of these grants.

Householders who are not entitled to the Warm Front Grant may be able to receive a grant up to a maximum of £300 (the Heating Rebate) for provision or replacement of heating systems.

A £250 winter fuel payment was made to all pensioner households in winter of 2009-2010. £400 was paid where someone in the household is 80 or over.

The ‘cold weather’ payment (currently £25.00) is automatically made to qualifying individuals, who must receive Pension Credit or other income related benefits with disability premium, in the winter months between November and April, when the temperature is at 0° or below for a period of seven consecutive days.

Telephones

There is no specific concession for older people wanting to have a telephone installed, or towards use of a telephone. Social Services are required (under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970) to help with installation costs in certain circumstances; some local authorities also help to pay towards rental. British Telecom itself offers no concessions, although it has a low cost line rental scheme for people who receive certain benefits.

Check with other telephone providers to see whether they have special schemes.

Television

There is a very limited television licence concessions scheme which grants a £7.50 licence to retired people of pension age, disabled people, or mentally ill or people with learning difficulties provided that they live in certain eligible registered care homes or sheltered accommodation. There are strict criteria about what constitutes eligible accommodation. This concession is not available to older people living on their own or with a partner in their own home.

Households with someone of 75 or over are entitled to a free TV licence.

Education and leisure

Concessions on adult education classes and the use of leisure facilities may be available from your local authority. Some councils have ‘Leisure Passports’ which entitle the user to a whole range of services at a discount. Museums and galleries usually have free entry and places of entertainment, such as theatres, may offer reduced admission especially for matinees. Some libraries have free internet access.

Hairdressers and barbers often offer special rates for older people at certain times of the week. Organisations such as the ‘National Trust’ provide reduced subscriptions. Some restaurant chains and public houses provide meals at a discount for older people.

Travel

People aged 60 or over, and people with disabilities, are entitled to a free bus pass and a minimum concession of free off-peak travel on buses in every area of the country, whether using the bus locally or when visiting other parts of the country. Local authorities may also offer discounted travel on other modes of transport, such as trams or rail, at their discretion. Contact your local authority for details and to apply.

People who are aged 60 or over and people who have a local authority concessionary travel pass because they are disabled, may be able to get coach fares at half price.

All rail companies give one-third reductions on most types of ticket to people who have a Senior Railcard, which currently costs £26 for one year (or £65 for three years) and can be bought at main railway stations. It is available to people aged 60 or over, provided proof of age is given.

Passports

Every British Citizen born on or before 2 September 1929 is entitled to a free passport. Those eligible can apply for their free passport through the normal application route.