Welfare Benefits

Once you reach State Pension age, your eligibility to certain benefits will change. You may no longer be able to claim some benefits and now be entitled to others.

Your State Pension age is the same as your Pension Credit age unless you are a man born before 6 December 1953. You can check your State Pension age and whether you can start claiming Pension Credit on the Check your State Pension age page of the Gov.uk website.

If you are approaching State Pension age and unsure how this will effect your current benefits and if you are eligible for any others, please contact our Financial Inclusion Team, via email referrals@aha.org.uk or by phone : 03451 77 22 44. The Officers will be able to provide a detailed benefit check and guide you through the claim the claim process.

Below are some benefits that you may now be eligible for –

Pension Age Disability Payment

Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland. You do not need to do anything if you already get Attendance Allowance. You cannot get Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance at the same time.

It’s paid at 2 different rates, lower and higher. The amount you get depends on your care needs.

Lower rate is £73.90 a week. It’s for people who need help or supervision during the day or night.

Higher rate is £110.40 a week. It’s for people who need help or supervision during the day and night.

If you’re terminally ill you’ll automatically get the higher rate.

Pension Age Disability Payment is not means-tested. Your income and savings are not taken into account. They will not affect any award you might get.

If you already get Adult Disability Payment

If you already get Adult Disability Payment, you’ll stay on it when you reach State Pension age. You will not transfer to Pension Age Disability Payment.

If you already get Adult Disability Payment, you’ll stay on it when you reach State Pension age. You will not transfer to Pension Age Disability Payment.

You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to get Pension Age Disability Payment. If someone does care you for, they could get Carer Support Payment.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income.

You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.

Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension.

You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

For further information and how to apply, please refer to the GOV.UK Website

Housing Benefit

Once you reach State Pension age, depending on your income you may now be eligible for Housing Benefit to help with you rent payments. Please note, if you receiving Universal Credit, which included the Housing Cost element prior to reaching State Pension you will need to make a new claim for Housing Benefit.

Please be aware if you are part of a couple and your partner is below State Pension age, you will continue to receive assistance from Universal Credit, up until your partner reaches State Pension age.

How to claim Housing Benefit –

Angus Council – Apply for Housing Benefit / Council Tax Reduction | Angus Council

Dundee City Council – Housing Benefit | Dundee City Council

If you need support to make a claim, our Financial Inclusion Team will be happy to help. Please contact them, via email referrals.aha.org.uk  , or by phone on : 0345 177 2244