Cash news in brief

Cash news in brief

Thousands of people caring for their spouses or partners are missing out on extra cash benefits that they are entitled to, according to Age Concern.

The charity is urging all older carers and those caring for an older person to contact Age Concern for a free benefits check, after research showed that a quarter of carers aged 50 or more were unaware they could be eligible for them. About one in eight adults in the UK is a carer, and the most likely age to be a carer is between 50 and 59.

Many pensioners believe that they are not entitled to carers' benefits because they receive the state pension, but Age Concern says that it is worth making a claim in any event, as the carer could receive increased levels of pension credit, housing and council tax benefit instead.

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Carers under state pension age are often unaware that putting in a claim could give them a weekly credit towards their state pension as well as topping up their regular income.

Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said: 'Thousands of carers across the UK are each missing out on cash benefits of up to £2,500 a year, often because they don't realise they are entitled to the extra help, or just don't understand the system.

'We would urge any older carers, or those caring for an older person, to get in touch with their local Age Concern for clear, free and confidential help and advice, or to call our free helpline number on 0800 009966 for more information.'

Two new 0 per cent cards - but check the small print

Capital One (www.capitalone.co.uk) is relaunching its Platinum card with a 0 per cent rate on balance transfers and purchases until 1 May next year, and a balance transfer fee of just 1.7 per cent. The rate then rises to a typical APR of 9.9 per cent. Rob Kenley of Moneysupermarket.com says: 'This card is a clear winner for people with multi-purpose credit-card usage.'

Halifax (www.halifax.co.uk) is also offering a 0 per cent rate on both balance transfers and purchases for 12 months to new customers on its One credit card. The rate then rises to 15.9 per cent APR, and transfers (which are only possible in the first three months of holding the card) incur a fee of 3 per cent. The offer lasts until Saturday.

Prime time to shop around for cheapest energy prices

The last of the big six energy providers to cut their prices - EDF and Scottish Power - will take the plunge next week, so it's a good time to make sure you are on the best tariff for your region.

British Gas is the cheapest dual fuel provider in nine of 14 regions, according to moneysupermarket.com. Customers in the east of England pay £733 a year on a dual-fuel tariff based on average energy consumption, while those on the same tariff in the Midlands supply region will pay £766. For electricity alone, EDF is the cheapest in 10 regions, with British Gas best for the other four. For gas only, Scottish Power is the cheapest in 11 regions.