Last year, pensioners lost nearly £4bn by not claiming pension credit, when they were eligible to do so. Could you be one of them? For a single person, not claiming, could mean that they miss out on up to £35 per week. To find out more, please see the article on our ‘alerts’ page.
Category Archives: Finance
It’s ‘free wills’ month again
If you haven’t yet made a will, or you need to amend an existing simple will, now is the time to do it. In association with various charities, some solicitors are participating in a scheme for ‘free’ wills, this month. To find out more click here.
St Michael’s Hospice is also participating in this event and you can find out more about their role in this scheme, St Michaels advertisement.
FSCS has increased its compensation limit.
The Financial Savings Compensation Scheme has increased its limit for protection from January 30th 2017. The previous compensation limit for people with money in banks, building societies and credit unions was £75,000. For further details visit our ‘Alerts’ page.
Do your finances need a spring clean?
It’s that time of year when financial matters come to the fore ….. household insurance, car insurance and energy supplies are just some of the things which may be occupying your mind. Not to mention, trying to make the most of your savings. Help is at hand. Paul Lewis, the financial advisor, who appears on BBC television, Money Box on the radio and writes a column in the Radio Times, is offering advice in the latest issue of InTouch newsletter.
‘Benefits matter’
Benefits and allowances are the subject of our next Forum meeting on November 26th, details of which can be found on the ‘Forum Events’ page.
It has been reported that two thirds of those eligible do not claim the marriage allowance and grandparents are missing out on boosts to their pensions, if they are looking after grandchildren. Make sure you’re not missing out. For further information about some of the benefits and allowances to which you may be entitled, please visit the ‘Topical News’ page.
Scammers collect £5.5 million in 2 weeks!
The Consumer Association (Which?) reports that ‘in less than two weeks, we’ve recorded over £5.5m lost to bank transfer scams. Over 650 people have shared their story – with one person reported to have lost a whopping £395,000. The £5.5m is just the tip on the iceberg.
This is the harsh reality of bank transfer scams and something the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) will not be able to ignore. Banks must better protect customers who are tricked into transferring money to a fraudster’. If you would like to support Which? in trying to protect people from becoming victims, please consider signing the ‘Safeguard us from Scams’ campaign.
Could you be eligible for a Warm Home Discount?
Keeping warm during the winter is essential for good health and wellbeing. However, when money is tight, turning off the heating is one of the first sacrifices people make. Heating should not be a luxury and there is help available for those who are struggling to pay for the cost of heating their home. You can check if you could be eligible by contacting your energy supplier or following one of the following links: Warm Home Discount Scheme British Gas EDF Energy Co-operative Energy Scottish Power etc.
£1 bus fare for journeys in Harrogate on Sundays
The Harrogate Bus Company has announced the introduction of £1 single bus fares across Harrogate on Sundays. This move comes in response to the introduction of parking charges in Harrogate on Sundays.
For further details follow this link: Sunday bus fares
It’s ‘free wills’ month
If you haven’t yet made a will, or you need to amend an existing simple will, now is the time to do it. In association with various charities, some solicitors are participating in a scheme for ‘free’ wills, this month. To find out more click here.
‘Snug as a Bug’ and ‘Switch to Save’
Come and join us at our next Forum meeting on September 22nd 2 – 4pm. Admission £2 includes refreshments and a raffle ticket.
Looking after oneself is very important to us all so we are revisiting this topic. Our speaker this time will be Helen Brown who is not only the NEA representative for the Harrogate District but also the Lead Officer for the Health and Social Care Liaison Development Team. She is an excellent person to provide guidance and information about the latest and best ways of keeping warm and snug during the winter both inside and outside the house. In the second part of the meeting, Helen will talk about the advantages (and disadvantages?) of switching our utilities provider; most people can make considerable savings by shopping around. This will be an interesting talk and we hope to learn new ways of keeping warm and well.