Millions could claim up to £9,940 annually. DWP rule changes and unclaimed benefits affect those over State Pension age.
Pension Credit helps those with low income who are over State Pension age, adding up to £4,200 to your yearly income. Furthermore, Attendance Allowance provides extra money for long-term health issues or disabilities which could be £434 each month, totaling about £5,642 per year.
Attendance Allowance will increase in April by 1.7 percent, making it £5740 for the higher rate in 2025/26. The standard rate will be £3,842.
Of the 12.9 million people over State Pension age, about 760,000 could get Pension Credit but aren’t claiming it right now. Over a million pensioners could get Attendance Allowance, which isn’t affected by income or savings, is tax-free, and doesn’t count as income for Pension Credit.
Pension Credit now helps 1.4 million people, including 125,000 in Scotland, raising weekly income to a minimum of £218.15 for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples. The average yearly benefit is £3,900.
You might get Pension Credit if your income is low, specifically if single, your weekly income must be below £218.15, or as a couple, your combined weekly income must be under £332.95. If you’re over 65, and reached pension age before April 6, 2016, you might also qualify where the weekly income threshold is £260.68 for single people and £380.55 for couples.
Even a small Pension Credit of just £1 a week can unlock other support, potentially giving you the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment. Rules changed in May 2019 for “mixed age couples,” which is where one partner has reached pension age, while the other is not.
These couples are considered “working age,” affecting benefit eligibility and preventing them from claiming Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners reach pension age. Before this change, such couples could claim more, getting state pension age benefits sooner.
Pension Credit offers additional assistance, helping with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payment. It can offer Support for Mortgage Interest if you own your home and help with NHS costs, including dental, glasses, and hospital transport. Also Housing Benefit may even be available if you rent, along with a potential Royal Mail redirection discount if you are moving and free TV licenses if you are 75+, there is also a Council Tax discount.
Attendance Allowance helps with extra living costs that arise from health issues, encompassing physical, mental, or long-term illnesses. You do not need a carer to claim.
People over State Pension age can claim and potentially receive £72.65 weekly at the lower rate, or £108.55 each week at the higher rate. Payments occur every four weeks, equating to £290.60 or £434.20, with a total for 2024/25 of around £5,644.
Apply if you need help day or night due to illness or disability, even if you don’t currently receive help. This may include assistance with eating and drinking, washing or moving. Similarly help using the toilet and general safety help is available.Apply if tasks take a long time or cause pain, or even if you just need support doing them.
Attendance Allowance can help with mental health, as well as learning difficulties and sensory conditions, including deafness or visual impairment. It is not means-tested, so income and savings don’t matter, and there is no limit.
It is also tax-free and doesn’t affect other benefits, and you can claim even if you work. Lastly, you need to fill out a claim form, which may seem hard, but Citizens Advice and Independent Age can help.
