MSE’s Money Tips Combine cashback to earn £1,000s?, Free photo Xmas card, Age 66+? Are you missing out on £3,500?, ur

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From: MSE's Money Tips - Tuesday Dec 05, 2023 07:52 pm
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Plus... £140 No7 for £42, £130 Vax £80, Are u due £100s energy credit back?, 50% off posh coffee
                                                           
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 05 December 2023 | View in browser
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DON'T believe the fake 'Martin Lewis' or 'MSE' ads
Lots of scam ads litter social media and even newspaper websites - some of these lie that we or Martin promote Bitcoin, binary trading etc. See Fake ads warning.
 
 
 

Important: Martin's alert for ALL disabled or ill pensioners
If you, or a loved one, need help with daily living, check out Attendance Allowance - up to 1,100,000 miss out on £3,500/yr according to our exclusive new research

Martin Lewis, MoneySavingExpert.com founder, whose image links to his official MSE biography page.Earlier this year, we asked if you are one of 21m missing out on £19bn in unclaimed benefits - including Universal Credit, water bill help, Housing Benefit - and then explained how to check. Many were surprised at what they were entitled to, yet a few also suggested to me that we look at Attendance Allowance (a payment to help cover costs of pensioners who need someone to 'attend' them) as there's a huge lack of awareness.

So we set things in motion and started work with Policy in Practice, which identified the 'missing out' numbers in the original research. The results are staggering. It has estimated up to 1.1m aren't getting the £3,500/yr minimum Attendance Allowance they're due in Great Britain (the stats don't cover N. Ireland, but the benefit does). MSE Ben & Rosie have prepared a great new Attendance Allowance help guide that we launch today. In brief...

It ISN'T means tested. It's for pensioners who need some daily living help. Don't assume you won't qualify. With Attendance Allowance (AA) your finances are irrelevant, there's no means testing, so it's not just for those on lower incomes. To get it, you must be of state pension age (so currently at least 66).

- There's no specific conditions list. It can be a mental or physical disability/illness. What counts is its impact on you.
- You must've needed either help or supervision for six consecutive months (even if you didn't get the help).
- Help means assistance with daily living (eg, washing, eating, shopping), so even if you don't think of yourself as disabled, you may be eligible. Supervision means someone to watch you to avoid danger to yourself or others.
- It's common for those with Parkinson's, dementia, terminal illness, blindness, learning difficulties and more.

If you have Power of Attorney for someone, you can apply for them too. If you're looking after someone who meets the criteria, you can apply for them as long as they can sign the form or you've Power of Attorney.

Basic Attendance Allowance is worth £68 a week (£3,540 a year). There are two rates of AA:

- Lower: Those who need help during the day OR night get £68/wk (£3,540/yr).
- Higher: If you need help BOTH during the day and night OR have under 12mths to live, it's £102/wk (£5,300/yr).

Claims CAN'T be backdated, so do it ASAP, as Christina's experience shows: "My mother missed out on 7yrs of AA, which would've been £20,000, and sadly died after only a month of claiming it. My elderly father had looked after her for years and spent savings on making her life easier without knowing there was help." Please let us know how you get on.

Attendance Allowance may unlock access to £1,000s of other extra help. Sometimes AA is the key to eligibility, more often it's likely an indicator you may get other help. Here's a rundown of some areas to look at...

- WILL qualify for a Disabled Person's Railcard. Costs £20, you & a companion get 1/3 off rail travel.
- MAY be accepted for a blue badge to park in places others can't, often for free, but it's council by council.
- MAY get council tax help. You may qualify for the horrible-sounding severe mental impairment (SMI) discount, which can mean 25% discounts for some or 100% for those who live alone (or with someone else with an SMI).
- LOW INCOME? You may also be due £76/wk extra Pension Credit, or up to £390/mth extra Universal Credit.
- HAVE A CARER? If someone close to you looks after you unpaid for 20 to 35hrs a week, AA may mean they get Carer's Credit. If they do over 35hrs a week on low pay, then they may get paid Carer's Allowance, though how this interacts with AA is complex - see Carer's Allowance with Attendance Allowance help.
- LIVE-IN CARER? If you live with someone who cares for you, you may be entitled to a council tax discount.

Warning. Beware if you get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Both PIP and DLA are usually worth at least as much as, and often more than, AA and you can't get both. See our AA clashing benefits help, and if you're unsure, it is best to get free help from a benefits adviser before doing owt if you're on these.

How to claim Attendance Allowance. There's a paper form to fill in. You'll need to gather your paperwork together first, and sometimes attend an assessment (the better you fill in the form about your condition, the less likely). See our step-by-step applying for Attendance Allowance help.
 
Send a totally FREE personalised photo Christmas postcard. MSE Blagged. For newbies to the free FreePrints Cards app, they even post it for you. It's normally £1.25. If you're sending Christmas cards, or celebrating any other occasion, this could be one for you. Related: 33% off at Scribbler.

Updated. Does your energy firm owe you £100s? 5 steps to get it back. Energy firms are sitting on over £8bn of our Direct Debit credit... 1) Ensure you've an up-to-date meter reading. 2) Use our updated 'Is your direct debit right?' calc, which now includes Jan's 5% price rise data. 3) Check if you're in credit - about 2mths of DDs is right at this point in the cycle, a lot more isn't. 4) Too much credit? See how to get it back. 5) If your DD's substantially too high, ask for it to be lowered.

New. British Gas launches cheaper fix available to new & existing customers. Plus Octopus launches a cheaper existing customer deal. Are they worth it? See our guide for full info.

Two new Martin savings mini-video briefings Everyone: Earn 8% on your savings (& possibly £200 more on top). Martin's 3min 8% savings video.
On a low income: How you can get 50% added to savings. Martin's Help to Save video.

£130 Vax spot cleaner for £80 via 5,000 discount codes. MSE Blagged. This is the cheapest Vax has ever sold these small carpet cleaners (for upholstery, stains, car seats etc). Vax code. [PS from Martin: I was unsure about including a 'spot cleaner' deal, so asked on Facebook - Sheila's was the first response: "I've got a spot cleaner, it's really good, depends what make, if it's Vax I'm sure people would like to have the code."]

How much do Christmas lights cost to run? Many have been asking, worried if they can afford it. We've crunched the numbers in our Christmas lights analysis. Related: Energy saving checklist.

Boots No7 'Star Gift'. £140 of No7 skincare for £42. We've one day's early access to buy this £85 set half-price (everyone else can get the discount from Wed). No7 Star Gift

Urgent, ends Sun. Are you over 65 and have total income under £220 a week or £320 a week if in a couple? If it's yes to both, urgently check if you are due the Pension Credit top-up to the state pension, as do it before Sunday and you can get an extra one-time £599. See Martin's Pension Credit blog for info, who qualifies and how to apply.

Are you owed £1,000s? Reclaim, reclaim, reclaim - The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, 8pm tonight (Tue), ITV1. Over to Martin: "My focus tonight is three big reclaims due if 1) You went to uni, 2) You've had a loan or a credit card, 3) You've ever lost a partner. It's a very important programme, do spread word & watch or set the Betamax (or catch up later via ITVX)."

 
 
 
 

Can't afford to clear your credit cards? You can't afford not to try a balance transfer
Shift card debt to 28mths INTEREST-FREE, but go quick, it mightn't be around long, see if you can save £100s ASAP

This isn't great news, but it is important. The new longest balance transfer deal is 28mths 0%, after the old longest, 29mths, was pulled from the market. We're concerned other top deals will be pulled, with little better likely till after Christmas. A balance transfer is where you get a new card you ask to pay off debt on your existing card(s), so you now owe it, but interest-free - meaning your repayments clear the actual debt, not just cover the interest. So if you're paying credit card interest, or soon will (as your current 0% is ending), DON'T DELAY, check our 0% eligibility tool to see which cards will accept you.

If you've a choice, go for the LOWEST FEE within a 0% time long enough to clear your debt. Always prioritise getting a card that gives you long enough to repay all the debt, with the lowest one-off transfer fee. Yet if you're unsure how long it'll take, play safe and go long.
M&S Bank
Link goes via eligibility calc or apply direct*
- 28mths 0%
- 2.99% fee (min £5)
- 23.9% rep APR after
Longest 0%. This card has a definite 0% period, so all accepted will get the full 28mths at 0%.
Barclaycard
Link goes via eligibility calc or apply direct*
- Up to 28mths 0%
- 3.45% fee
- 24.9% rep APR after
Longest 0%, but higher fee & some could get less time at 0% unless pre-approved in our eligibility calculator. If you're not pre-approved, you could get just 14mths at 0%.
NatWest 
Link goes via eligibility calc or apply direct*
- 14mths 0%
- NO fee
- 24.9% rep APR after
Longest NO-FEE 0% - a winner if you can clear debt quickly, and some get a GUARANTEED MIN CREDIT LIMIT. If you can clear the debt in 14mths, this is totally free, and our eligibility calc can tell those pre-approved their guaranteed minimum credit limit. Also offered by sister banks RBS and Ulster Bank, though they're not in our calc.
TOP-PICK NEW CARDHOLDER 0% BALANCE TRANSFERS (longest first)

As Jordanne emailed: "Thank you. After reading and using the eligibility calculator, I've successfully transferred £6,000, costing me ££££s in interest, to a 27mth 0% card - meaning I can be debt-free in two years. I'd applied a year ago and became discouraged after I couldn't transfer my whole balance. I continued to check, but noted I'd only be able to transfer some of it. After reading Martin's reply on this ['Even if you can only shift some, try, as that's some debt you won't pay interest on], I followed his advice and got the best outcome possible."

Getting a card? ALWAYS follow the Balance Transfer Golden Rules:
a) Never miss the minimum monthly repayment, or you could lose the 0% deal and it'll cost far more.
b) Aim to clear the card (or balance-transfer again) before the 0% ends, or the rate rockets to the higher APR.
c) Don't spend or withdraw cash. It usually isn't at the cheap rate and withdrawals may hit your ability to get future credit.
d) The balance transfer must usually be done within 60 to 90 days to get the 0% - check.

Quick balance transfer FAQs (click links for Martin's answers)
Q. Is it worth applying if my eligibility odds are low? | Q. What if my credit limit isn't big enough? | Q. Can I shift debt to existing cards too? | Q. Should I try to pay off my biggest debt first? SPOILER: NO.
Full help and info, including options for poorer credit scorers, in Best balance transfers.

 
New. Call centre staff's secret tips & unpleasant issues: wills, Power of Attorney & more... An important listen for anyone who's prevaricated on sorting a will or Power of Attorney - how to do it, and how to get through the 'I can't face it'. Plus secret gems from call centre workers. Listen to the new The Martin Lewis Podcast via BBC Sounds, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

'I've saved £210/yr by haggling with BT.' Our success of the week is from Angus, who said: "I used your Haggling with BT guide and kept the package I have already, but saved £210/yr. The repeated walking away technique was brilliant, three times it came back to me before we settled. Thanks for your help." Great to read - the number one tip is to always be polite and charming, not aggressive, when haggling. If we've helped you save (on this, or owt else), send us your successes.

Cheap (& sustainable) Christmas jumpers from £3. Thursday is Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day, so get a festive and eco-friendly pullover for just a few quid with MSE Rhiannon's blog on cheap Christmas jumpers.

Barista & Co 50% off selected coffee. MSE Blagged. Get a 600g bag of fresh coffee beans for £12.50 (normally £24.99). Choice of whole beans or ground coffee. The code also gets 50% off selected accessories, such as milk pitchers, coffee press, mugs and more. Barista & Co

'Tis the season for Christmas comping. Compers (hobbyists who regularly enter competitions) look forward all year to the influx of Advent competitions - retailers' daily free-to-enter giveaways - and are sharing their tips and successes on our Forum. Prizes so far include a £1,000 Ikea gift card and a Nintendo Switch Lite. Advent-ures in comping

Martin: 'Whether it's suicide prevention, gambling, insurance or embedding debt help in the NHS - I'm proud of MMHPI. Can you help?' I set up the Money & Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI) in 2016 and wanted to make you aware of what it has done this year - and to ask those who've had mental health issues if you've any time to help. MMHPI impact and how to help
 
 
Tell your friends about us They can get this email free every week
 
 

AT A GLANCE BEST BUYS
 

CAMPAIGN OF THE WEEK

Have you been a victim of fraud? The Home Affairs Committee, a group of MPs which looks at how Government policy on crime is working, has just launched a short survey. It wants to know what impact the fraud had on you, and your experience of reporting it (or your decision not to). It wants to find out whether current responses to reports of fraud are effective and if there are gaps in support for victims. Take the 10-minute survey.
 

THIS WEEK'S POLL

Have you haggled with Sky, BT, the AA or any others this year? Did you succeed? Haggling can result in big savings - on anything from digital TV and broadband to breakdown cover and car insurance. Each year we try to gauge the success rates of those who have done it. So whether you've got cheaper prices, extra goods or better deals, please let us know how successful you've been. Vote in this week's poll.

Cuckoo clocks in at number one again for broadband customer service. Last week, we asked what you thought of your broadband provider, and 5,500 of you responded. Of the providers that got more than 75 votes, Cuckoo came out on top with 98% of its customers rating it as 'great', with Zen Broadband close behind. Shell Energy took the wooden spoon with more than 50% rating it 'poor' (though it has just been sold to Octopus, so we're hopeful of change). See the full broadband poll results.
 
 
 
 

MONEY MORAL DILEMMA

Should I pay more towards my partner's bills than my own? My partner and I want to live together in her home. She has a small mortgage on her property and I live in a narrow boat that's paid for. My living costs covering food, energy and water are £350/mth, and I believe that's what I should pay if I lived with her. But she thinks I should pay closer to £550, which is half her monthly living costs. In this case I'd be putting money towards her mortgage too, which seems unfair as I'll never own any part of her home. How would you split it? Enter the Money Moral Maze: Should I pay more towards my partner's bills? | Suggest a Money Moral Dilemma
 
 
 
 

MARTIN'S APPEARANCES (WED 6 DEC ONWARDS)

Wed 6 Dec - Ask Martin Lewis, BBC Radio 5 Live, 1pm
Tue 12 Dec - This Morning, phone-in, ITV1, 10.20am
Tue 12 Dec - The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, ITV1, 8pm
 

HORROR HAIRCUTS AND CHEAP LOO ROLL - WHAT'S ONE MONEYSAVING THING YOU'LL NEVER TRY AGAIN?

That's all for this week, but before we go... what's a MoneySaving thing you've tried but just isn't for you? Many said they'd never reuse teabags again - not a surprise, as millions love nothing better than a good cuppa. Home haircuts were also out, after tales of terrible trims for kids and even dogs. One home cook's sticking to shop-bought houmous after branding their own effort 'grim'. It all goes to show saving money can sometimes be a pain in the bum... which some found out literally when they tried cheaper loo roll! Let us know what MoneySaving things you won't try again in our Facebook and Twitter conversations.

We hope you save some money,
The MSE team
 
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What you need to know

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Founded in February 2003, it is now the UK's biggest consumer help website, with more than 12 million users each month and about 8.5 million receiving this email. In September 2012 it became part of the MoneySupermarket Group PLC. Its focus is simple - saving cash and fighting for financial justice on anything and everything. The site has over 80 full-time staff, more than a third of whom are editorial - researching, analysing and writing to continually find ways to save money. More info: See About MSE.

Who is Martin Lewis?
Martin Lewis CBE is the founder and executive chair of MSE, as well as the founder of the MMHPI charity. He's an ultra-focused MoneySaving journalist and consumer campaigner with his own prime-time ITV programme The Martin Lewis Money Show, Radio 5 Live Wednesday show Ask Martin Lewis and weekly slot on This Morning, among others. More info: See Martin Lewis' biography.

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