For Let's Talk in September we had a talk from Islington Council's Income Maximisation team who spoke about ways to maximise your income including what you need to know about Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance. We also heard from Islington's SHINE energy team who can help people to reduce energy costs. Their service includes an Energy Doctor who can visit people at home.
Pension Credit and Saving on Energy Bills
❤️ Islington Council Income Maximisation talk slides
Alex and Tracey from the Income Maximisation Team gave an introduction to Pension Credit, a benefit that is not as claimed by many people who are on a low income and eligible, despite it providing a gateway to other discounts and benefits too.
Find out when you’ll reach State Pension age and what you could receive. It’s also important to check your National Insurance record for gaps, as these can affect your State Pension. MoneyHelper provides guidance on the State Pension, National Insurance contributions and planning for retirement.
If you have pensions from current or previous jobs, or a private pension, Pension Awareness can help you understand them better. Its free information and Pension Check-in can help you review your pensions, understand what they could provide in retirement and consider your next steps.
Pension Credit provides extra financial support for people over State Pension age on a low income. In Islington, around £12.9 million is estimated to go unclaimed each year, with around 3,570 households potentially missing out. Age UK provides information about eligibility, what you could receive and how to make a claim.
The Islington Carers Hub’s team provides emotional, financial and practical advice and guidance to unpaid carers aged 18 years and over. They can register you as a carer, introduce you to a network of Islington carers and help you to get a break.
An unpaid carer is anyone who cares for a friend or relative with an illness or disability without being paid. So, if you’re helping with shopping, paperwork, attending hospital appointments, you’re probably a carer. You might help someone round-the-clock or for a few hours a week.
Designing and planning accessible buildings and spaces in Islington
Do you care about ensuring Islington has places designed for all?
'Places for all' is a project run by Islington Council’s Planning Policy Team.
They're developing planning guidance for Islington's buildings, parks and streets – so that they work better for everyone.
There will be a workshop on places for all ages at Age UK Islington's Park Cuppa on 7 October and details of further workshops confirmed over the coming weeks. Email Islington’s Inclusive Design Officer Barbara Tanska at inclusivedesign@islington.gov.uk to express interest in either!
For more information and to sign up to email updates about the workshops visit the council's Let's Talk Islington website.
Keeping active guides
Age UK has a series of informative guides about to help you start to keep active, including videos that you can try at home and where to start if you've had a health problem, fall or find exercise difficult.
Being more active doesn't have to mean working up a sweat or joining a gym. It's about moving more each day in whatever way works for you. A few small changes can make a big difference.
