Welfare Matters
This page shows welfare items from the last Newsletter. However, other items from past Newsletters might
well still be of interest to our members. We have therefore included a link to take you to a list of subjects for you to
select and view those items you may wish to re-visit.
Please note that although the list is limited at present we are working on it and hope to expand it shortly.
Click here for Issues from previous Newsletters
From The Autumn 2023 Newsletter
Unfortunately, many people are beginning to feel the effects of the current inflation. Pensioners are vulnerable to increasing costs, and therefore some bank pensioners might now be eligible for the Bank Workers Charity (BWC) Christmas Grant to help over the winter months. This is a one-off, tax-free grant of £500 (£250 if you live in a residential care or nursing home). The charity will assess your eligibility for the grant in line with their grants criteria. To find out more or register your interest in the grant phone 02038738510 or email winter@bwcharity.org.uk The last date to request an application is 27th Sept. the deadline for applications is 27th Oct. Subject to certain conditions someone else can apply on your behalf, phone above for full details. The BWC can also advise on a whole range of other services of interest to us pensioners. They can be contacted on 08000234834 9am to 5pm or www.bwcharity.org.uk
Barclays has launched a service that means you can get cashback from local retailers and small businesses without making a purchase. This could be a useful facility in the absence of an ATM. Withdrawals, using a Visa or Mastercard debit card of up to £100 a day are available at businesses with a Barclaycard Payments terminal.
Every terminally ill person in the UK who has 12 months or less to live can now get fast-track access to the benefits that they need, this is an improvement on the previous rule which was for 6 months. To be able to apply, patients need a form completed by a healthcare professional. For full details visit www.mariecurie.org.uk or phone support line 08000902309.
More than £60 million in Premium Bond prizes sit unclaimed. Check www.nsandi.com/prize-checker then prize checker, to see if your number has come up!
For the tech savvy planning on buying goods or services from a particular store it is worth checking out www.cardyard.co.uk . Cardyard has for sale unwanted (and discounted) gift cards. For instance, a £20 voucher for Clarks costs £16, saving 20%. Cardyard also arranges the purchase of unwanted gift cards.
A free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has always been an important additional card for a foreign traveller and if you have one this card is still current until the expiry date. This card gives the holder certain medical benefits when travelling abroad. Following BREXIT, a new card, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which is also free, became available and replaces the existing EHIC for new applications. The benefits are similar for both cards but neither replaces the need for travel insurance. For full details and to apply visit www.Gov.uk/global-health-insurance-card
In these days of ‘counting the pennies’ a budget meal out is worthy of investigation. As a pensioner there are deals and discounts available if you know where to look. Check out the Green King pub and choose from their Seniors menu or visit a Harry Ramsden eatery where fish and chips + tea/coffee + ice cream or bread and butter pudding costs £10.69 (as we go to press).