How to get Lone Pensioner Allowance in 2022

What is Lone Pensioner Allowance ni? Am I eligible? What will I get? This can give elderly ratepayers over 70 years old living alone a discount on their rates. Additionally, you may even be eligible for more benefits. Your Benefits will tell you everything you need to know about Lone Pensioner Allowance ni.

What is Lone Pensioner Allowance ni?

You may be over 70 years old. Additionally, you may be a ratepayer in Northern Ireland. Lastly, you may live alone. If all of these apply to you, you may be eligible for the Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA). Indeed, you could then get a discount of 20% on your rates.

Can I get the Lone Pensioner Allowance ni?

You may qualify for the Lone Pensioner Allowance. In fact, for this to be true, you must be 70 years or older. Additionally, you must live alone, and in ni (Northern Ireland). Otherwise, you may be older than 70 years old, but live with someone in ni (Northern Ireland).

However, you could still be eligible for Lone Pensioner Allowance. This is the case if one of the following is true, you:

• Live with a person with a severe mental impairment (this person can be your partner or spouse);
• Live with someone who is younger than 18 years old;
• Care for someone who lives with you (they cannot be your partner or spouse);
• Live with someone who cares for you (they cannot be your partner or spouse).

Note that you may claim Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA). However, while your claim is assessed, you must still pay your rates. Afterwards, your application may be successful. Then, you will be able to receive a refund

How to claim Lone Pensioner Allowance

If the conditions above apply to you, you may qualify for Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA). Additionally, you need to claim Lone Pensioner Allowance ni with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Indeed, you can do so through one of the following:

To apply to the NIHE you can do so by:

• An online application form;
• The Relay UK text service app;
• Phone at 03448 920 902.

You may also apply for the Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA) through the Land and Property Services. Indeed, you must then fill an application form. Additionally, necessary supporting documents need to be included in your claim.

You may get the application form through multiple means. More specifically, you can do so by:

• Email, at applicationbased.raterelief@finance-ni.gov.uk;
• Text relay, at 18001 0300 200 7801;
• Phone, at 0300 200 7801;
• Online, on the nidirect.gov.uk website (it is called the ‘Lone Pensioner Allowance application form‘).

You will need to provide the following information with your claim:

• Proof for your date of birth (this can be a medical card, driving licence, smart pass or passport);
• Your National Insurance number (this should be indicated on the form directly).

What additional help could I receive?

If you are elderly, you may be eligible for a number of other benefits. One of them is Pension Credit. Another one is the State Pension. Furthermore, you may earn benefits like Cold Weather Payment. In fact, Lone Pensioner Allowance is not the only benefit you could be eligible for.

What is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit is a benefit for those at or older than State Pension age. Additionally, you must be low on income. Then, Pension Credit can help you in covering daily living or housing costs. This can include rent and other charges. 

Payments are usually put directly into your account.  In fact, this is like how most benefits, pensions and allowances are paid. Additionally, you may claim Pension Credit a maximum of 4 months before you reach State Pension age.

How can I apply to Pension Credit and how much can I get?

You can apply for this benefit on the Gov.UK website. Additionally, you may also do so by phone or post. Indeed, you will need to include your National Insurance number in your claim. Furthermore, you will have to include information about your investments, savings and income.

You may receive the following through Pension Credit:

What is Cold Weather Payment?

If you receive Pension Credit, you will automatically receive Cold Weather Payment. Indeed, Cold Weather Payment is a benefit for people living in very cold areas. More specifically, in areas where, on average, the temperature is below 0 degrees Celsius. This may be currently true in your area. Additionally, this may be predicted to be true for at least 7 consecutive days. Then, you likely qualify.

Like most other benefit, Cold Weather Payments are paid straight into your bank or building society account. Indeed, they should take no more than 14 working days to arrive. However, remember that this is following your consecutive 7 days of cold weather.

Additionally, if you receive one of the following, you will usually be eligible to receive Cold Weather Payment:

• Universal Credit;
• Pension Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest;
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA);
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
• Income Support.

What is State Pension?

State Pension is a benefit for those who reached State Pension age. Indeed, it is regularly paid by the government. There are two different versions: the ‘basic’ and the ‘new’ version of the scheme. You may be eligible if you get Lone Pensioner Allowance ni.

Furthermore, what you receive with this scheme will increase yearly. In fact, the amount by which your State Pension increases is determined by the following (whichever one is higher):

• The percentage growth of UK prices (as indicated by the CPI (Consumer Price Index));
• The average percentage growth of wages (this is for wages in Great Britain);
• 2.5%.