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 772244. 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 –

Attendance Allowance

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is money for people aged pension age or over who have care needs. You may have care needs if you need help with activities of daily living, such as getting dressed, going to the toilet or having someone to look after you so you do not hurt yourself. Unlike PIP, Attendance Allowance does not cover mobility needs.

To claim Attendance Allowance, you must have needed help with your care needs for at least 6 months. (If you’re terminally ill, you can make a claim straight away.)

For more information on eligibility, please refer to Attendance Allowance: Eligibility – GOV.UK

Attendance Allowance is paid weekly at 2 different rates – the one you get depends on the level of help you need.

Attendance Allowance is not means-tested – what you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get.

Attendance Allowance rates

If your circumstances change, you could get a different rate. You must report a change of circumstances.

How to claim Attendance Allowance?

Use the Attendance Allowance claim form to apply by post. The form comes with notes telling you how to fill it in.

Send the completed form to:

Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance

You do not need a postcode or a stamp.

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