benefits Archives - Pounds and Sense https://www.poundsandsense.com/tag/benefits/ A UK blog covering personal finance and much more from an over-60 perspective Sat, 24 Jan 2026 11:33:52 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 https://www.poundsandsense.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/coffeespecs-150x150.png benefits Archives - Pounds and Sense https://www.poundsandsense.com/tag/benefits/ 32 32 Make the Government Pay! How to Use Gift Aid to Redirect Your Tax Money https://www.poundsandsense.com/make-the-government-pay-how-to-use-gift-aid-to-redirect-your-tax-money/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=make-the-government-pay-how-to-use-gift-aid-to-redirect-your-tax-money https://www.poundsandsense.com/make-the-government-pay-how-to-use-gift-aid-to-redirect-your-tax-money/#respond Sat, 24 Jan 2026 11:32:29 +0000 https://www.poundsandsense.com/?p=14237 As more people in the UK find themselves paying income tax again – particularly retirees whose pensions, savings interest and state pension now push them over the personal allowance – it’s natural to feel frustrated about how that money is used. While we don’t get much say over how most of our taxes are spent, […]

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]]> https://www.poundsandsense.com/make-the-government-pay-how-to-use-gift-aid-to-redirect-your-tax-money/feed/ 0 Winter Fuel Payment 2025/26 – What Pensioners Need to Know https://www.poundsandsense.com/winter-fuel-payment-2025-26-what-pensioners-need-to-know/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=winter-fuel-payment-2025-26-what-pensioners-need-to-know https://www.poundsandsense.com/winter-fuel-payment-2025-26-what-pensioners-need-to-know/#respond Sat, 25 Oct 2025 10:17:59 +0000 https://www.poundsandsense.com/?p=13905 As you doubtless know, one of the first acts of the new Labour government last year was to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) for all but the very poorest pensioners (those eligible for pension credit). Such was the outcry they had to backtrack and most pensioners will now receive WFP this winter – but […]

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]]> https://www.poundsandsense.com/winter-fuel-payment-2025-26-what-pensioners-need-to-know/feed/ 0 How to Save Money on Your Heating Bills This Winter https://www.poundsandsense.com/how-to-save-money-on-your-heating-bills-this-winter/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-save-money-on-your-heating-bills-this-winter https://www.poundsandsense.com/how-to-save-money-on-your-heating-bills-this-winter/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2025 11:36:42 +0000 https://www.poundsandsense.com/?p=6597 For older people in particular, heating bills can be among their biggest expenses. And it’s especially important for older people to keep warm, as getting chilled can lower your body’s resistance to infection and – in the worst cases – lead to hypothermia. In addition, as you doubtless know, gas and electricity bills have gone […]

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]]> https://www.poundsandsense.com/how-to-save-money-on-your-heating-bills-this-winter/feed/ 9 How Social Tariffs Can Help You Save on Household Bills https://www.poundsandsense.com/how-social-tariffs-can-help-you-save-on-household-bills/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-social-tariffs-can-help-you-save-on-household-bills https://www.poundsandsense.com/how-social-tariffs-can-help-you-save-on-household-bills/#respond Mon, 30 Jun 2025 09:39:12 +0000 https://www.poundsandsense.com/?p=13541 With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on household finances, many people in the UK are unaware they could be paying less for essential services like broadband, water and energy. If you’re on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you may be eligible for social tariffs – discounted rates offered by providers […]

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]]> https://www.poundsandsense.com/how-social-tariffs-can-help-you-save-on-household-bills/feed/ 0 Could You Benefit From Help to Save? https://www.poundsandsense.com/could-you-benefit-from-help-to-save-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=could-you-benefit-from-help-to-save-2 https://www.poundsandsense.com/could-you-benefit-from-help-to-save-2/#respond Mon, 19 May 2025 13:58:12 +0000 https://www.poundsandsense.com/?p=13381 Today I’m spotlighting a lesser-known government scheme which, if you’re eligible, can give your finances a valuable boost. Help to Save is an initiative aimed at helping people on low incomes build up their savings. Offering generous tax-free bonuses, this scheme can provide significant benefits for qualifying individuals.  Here’s everything you need to know. What […]

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]]> https://www.poundsandsense.com/could-you-benefit-from-help-to-save-2/feed/ 0 From Saving to Spending: The Retirement Mindset Shift https://www.poundsandsense.com/from-saving-to-spending-the-retirement-mindset-shift/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=from-saving-to-spending-the-retirement-mindset-shift https://www.poundsandsense.com/from-saving-to-spending-the-retirement-mindset-shift/#comments Sat, 15 Mar 2025 10:48:53 +0000 https://www.poundsandsense.com/?p=13147 Today I’m looking at a subject that may affect many readers of this blog who have recently (or not so recently) retired. It’s certainly a concern that I’ve faced myself (discussed later in the article). For decades, many of us save diligently for retirement, carefully managing our finances to ensure what we hope will be […]

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]]> https://www.poundsandsense.com/from-saving-to-spending-the-retirement-mindset-shift/feed/ 2 Will You Get the Warm Home Discount? https://www.poundsandsense.com/can-you-get-the-warm-home-discount/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-you-get-the-warm-home-discount https://www.poundsandsense.com/can-you-get-the-warm-home-discount/#comments Wed, 16 Oct 2024 10:33:09 +0000 https://www.poundsandsense.com/?p=2383 Today I am looking at the Warm Home Discount scheme. The 2024/25 version of this has just launched. The WHD scheme provides people on low incomes and/or certain means-tested benefits with a discount of £150 on their electricity bill. This is a one-off payment that will be credited to your electricity account by March 2025. […]

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]]> https://www.poundsandsense.com/can-you-get-the-warm-home-discount/feed/ 12 How to Reduce the Impact of Tax Rises in Rachel Reeves’ First Budget https://www.poundsandsense.com/how-to-reduce-the-impact-of-tax-rises-in-rachel-reeves-first-budget/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-reduce-the-impact-of-tax-rises-in-rachel-reeves-first-budget https://www.poundsandsense.com/how-to-reduce-the-impact-of-tax-rises-in-rachel-reeves-first-budget/#respond Thu, 22 Aug 2024 11:06:19 +0000 https://www.poundsandsense.com/?p=12453 Updated and expanded 13 October 2024 The first budget under new Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves is scheduled for Wednesday 30 October 2024. Speculation is rife about potential tax rises aimed at addressing the country’s economic challenges. But while tax increases appear inevitable, there is still time to take proactive steps to minimize their impact on […]

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]]> https://www.poundsandsense.com/how-to-reduce-the-impact-of-tax-rises-in-rachel-reeves-first-budget/feed/ 0 How to Maximize Your Tax-Free Savings Interest https://www.poundsandsense.com/how-to-maximize-your-tax-free-savings-interest/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-maximize-your-tax-free-savings-interest https://www.poundsandsense.com/how-to-maximize-your-tax-free-savings-interest/#respond Thu, 15 Aug 2024 10:02:54 +0000 https://www.poundsandsense.com/?p=12417 In these challenging times, we all need to ensure our savings stretch as far as possible. So today I thought I’d set out the range of tax-free allowances you can use to help do this. Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) The Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) was introduced in April 2016 and allows you to earn a […]

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]]> https://www.poundsandsense.com/how-to-maximize-your-tax-free-savings-interest/feed/ 0 Could You Benefit From Help to Save? https://www.poundsandsense.com/could-you-benefit-from-help-to-save/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=could-you-benefit-from-help-to-save https://www.poundsandsense.com/could-you-benefit-from-help-to-save/#respond Tue, 25 Jun 2024 10:03:38 +0000 https://www.poundsandsense.com/?p=12295 Navigating personal finances can be challenging, especially for those on a limited income. Recognising this, the UK government introduced the Help to Save scheme, which is designed to encourage and support individuals receiving certain benefits to build their savings. Here’s an overview of how the scheme works, who is eligible, and the benefits it offers. […]

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