Up to 50,000 people over 60 will be able to claim extra pension or help with council tax or rent from November 2. At the moment they are excluded because their savings are too high, writes Paul Lewis From that date new rules raise the amount of savings you can have in the bank and still get help from the state. At the moment £6000 is ignored completely. This is rising to £10,000. That will mean an estimated 20,000 more people will be able to claim pension credit. Some will have savings of £50,000 or more. The change will also mean that an extra 20,000 people can get their council tax reduced and another 5000 tenants will be able to get money off their rent. Similar changes in Northern Ireland will mean money off rates. Unfortunately the Government is making no effort to find those who may now be able to claim. So it is up to... [read full story]
