Independent Age has launched a new online guide to claiming benefits
Independent Age is encouraging older people with long-term health conditions to reach out to them for assistance in claiming benefits, securing Council Tax discounts, and obtaining help for their daily care needs. The charity has also introduced a new online guide to claiming benefits upon reaching State Pension age and is urging people to ensure they are receiving all the support they are entitled to in later life.
Independent Age said: “Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or have been managing your condition for some time, life can have its challenges when you have a long-term health condition. But with a few simple steps and the right support, you can take control, manage your condition and live well.”
The full guide can be viewed or downloaded online here, or a free copy can be ordered from the charity. It’s worth noting that an audio version of the guide is also available online.
Care needs assessment
Independent Age clarified that if you’re struggling to cope with everyday activities, a care needs assessment could assist you in determining the care and support you require – and the most effective ways to obtain it. Assistance such as meals on wheels or a care worker to help with activities like washing, dressing or taking medication.
A care needs assessment from your local authority could help you secure the support that genuinely makes a difference. To discover how to obtain a care needs assessment, the charity recommends contacting your local council’s adult social care department to learn what assistance is available and how to access it. Complete information about care needs assessments can be found on the Independent Age website here.
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Explore additional financial support
Independent Age said: “So many people are not claiming the benefits that they are entitled to and as a result, missing out on extra money each week. Even if you think you’re getting everything you’re entitled to, it’s worth checking.”
You can utilise the free, confidential online benefits calculator to determine precisely what you can claim and receive a personalised report. Complete details here.
Many of the UK’s 13 million pensioners may not realise they could be eligible for two separate benefits, potentially worth a combined total of up to £10,040 over the 2025/26 financial year. One of these benefits is not means-tested and is designed to assist older people with long-term health conditions, while the other offers additional financial support to those on a low income.
Pension Credit aims to help those over State Pension age on a low income by boosting their annual income by an average of £4,300. Meanwhile, Attendance Allowance can provide extra financial support of up to £441.60 each month – equating to some £5,740.80 annually.
Both these payments are made separately from the State Pension, which is worth up to £230.25 each week, or £921 every four-week payment period. The full, New State Pension will be valued at £11,973 this year.
The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) estimates that 760,000 people are eligible for Pension Credit but are not claiming this income-related benefit.
Similarly, it is believed that over one million pensioners are eligible for Attendance Allowance, which is not affected by income or savings, is tax-free and is not counted as income when claiming Pension Credit.
Pension Credit in summary
Pension Credit, which currently aids 1.4 million people, boosts weekly income to a guaranteed minimum of £227.10 for single pensioners and £346.60 for couples. On average, it is worth £4,300 this year.
If you’re a single person on the New State Pension with a total weekly income below £227.10, or part of a couple with a combined weekly income of less than £346.60, you may be eligible for Pension Credit. Even an award of just £1 per week can unlock access to other financial support, including assistance with housing costs and heating bills.
Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law was altered so that a ‘mixed age couple’ – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a ‘working age’ couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This implies they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners reach State Pension age. Prior to this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.
Other help if you get Pension Credit
If you qualify for Pension Credit, you can also receive other help, such as:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax discount
- Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Older people, or their friends and family, can swiftly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here. Alternatively, pensioners can directly contact the Pension Credit helpline to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert assistance and advice is also available from:
More details about claiming Pension Credit can be fond on GOV.UK here.
A brief overview of Attendance Allowance
Currently, Attendance Allowance assists nearly 1.7 million older people across Great Britain, with the additional daily living costs associated with having a physical or mental health condition, disability or long-term illness. It’s not necessary to have someone caring for you to make a claim.
People over State Pension age who claim Attendance Allowance receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week. As the benefit is typically paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every payment period – some £5,740.80 over the 2025/26 financial year.
Who is eligible to claim?
You should apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and require help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you don’t currently receive that help.
This might include:
- Help with your personal care – for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet
- Help to stay safe
You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn’t just for people with a physical disability or illness.
You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:
- a mental health condition
- learning difficulties
- a sensory condition – if you are deaf or visually impaired
Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested so it doesn’t matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either – there’s no limit. it is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won’t have money taken away from any other benefits you’re already claiming. You can also claim it if you’re still working and earning money.
How to make a claim
You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It might seem daunting at first but help is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age. Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
